Macaron

A C++ preprocessor library for metaprogramming testing.

Prologue

This library started as a collection of boilerplates wrapped around static_assert. It was used when I was working on a metaprogramming library named Conceptrodon.

As Conceptrodon grows more complicated, the sheer amount of boilerplates is both bothersome and error-prone. Often, a typo during testing could hide itself in plain sight as I frustratedly debugged through the production code. Eventually, I made this library.

The goal of Macaron is to simplify numerous static_asserts and provide a convenient way to generate tokens. A macro call can create a list of tokens of any amount below 320. This allows me to test metafunction performance on a large scale.

Macaron consists of two sections:

• Judgmental: wrap static_assert boilerplates into function-like macros.
• Fragmental: list a large number of macros following specific patterns for sequential token generation.

Documentation

Install

Macaron is a header-only library. After downloading the code, move the directory ./macaron to your project, then use it like your own headers.

You can also install Macaron using CMake:

Windows

1. Download the library.

2. Open Developer Command Prompt that comes with Visual Studio. Redirect to the library folder. Generate a project buildsystem using CMake:

   cmake -S . -B "Where to build"

3. Redirect to the build directory you specified after -B earlier. Run command:

   cmake --install . --prefix "Where to install"

After installation, add the install directory you specified after --prefix to variable CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH in your project's CMakeCache.txt. If the variable doesn't exist, you will need to add the following line to your CMakeCache.txt:

CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH:PATH=Install directory of the library

If CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH already exists, append the install directory to the values of the variable(note the added semicolon):

CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH:PATH=...; Install directory of the library

In the CMakeList.txt of your project, Add:

find_package(Macaron REQUIRED CONFIG)
target_link_libraries(YourProject PRIVATE Macaron::Facilities)

You are good to go.

References

I learned a lot from CallableTraits by Barrett Adai and Cloak by Paul Fultz II. I am appreciative of their willingness to share knowledge freely.