Minimum Macro

I am trying setup a simple macro that compares 2 numbers and selects the lowest number.

I found the following example from someelse on the C++ board.

#define MINIMUM1 (a, b) (((a) < (b)) ? (a) : (b))

I am confused how I execute the macro from main. I have tried

Code:

---


  double lowestNumber;
 
  lowestNumber = MINIMUM1(10, 5);
  cout << "Lowest number = " << lowestNumber;

---

but that didn't even compile. I received the this error, "term does not evaluate to a function."

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Code:

---

#define MINIMUM1(a, b) (((a) < (b)) ? (a) : (b))
              ^^^^ no space here

---

>#define MINIMUM1 (a, b) (((a) < (b)) ? (a) : (b))
Note the space between the macro name and the argument list. This shouldn't be there:

Code:

---

#define MINIMUM1(a, b) (((a) < (b)) ? (a) : (b))

---

Of course, in C++ you would be better served with an inline template function:

Code:

---

template <typename T>
T minimum1(T a, T b) {
  return (a < b) ? a : b;
}

---

Thanks - I took the extra space out but am still getting the same compiler error.

Any suggestions?

The macro must appear in the same file, either directly or in an #include, before any use. "does not evaluate to a function" most likely means that the compiler sees symbol(whatever) before symbol is introduced. All the cool kids use std::min anyway. What happens with MINIMUM1(*p1++,*p2++);?

>What happens with MINIMUM1(*p1++,*p2++);?
You get what you deserve. :D

Actually I was thinking about this, it does run twice as fast;) We also have a very good chance of "thinking outside the box"

edit: The above was written by marketing people, the actual speed improvement is only 50%