Useful Compiler Directives for Teaching Programming

Abstract

Using pre-processor directives is an important step in writing programs in languages that include C++ and Java. We examine the use of pre-processor directives with the goal of making a beginning programming language pedagogically effective. We propose a set of compiler directives that can be used in teaching a programming language similar to C++ so that student's programming productivity increases by discouraging them from using irrelevant/confusing constructs and error-prone syntax. The proposed directives are structured into three groups: (i) error-checks, (ii) debugging-aids, and (iii) file-merging directives.