Macros
A macro is a function from code to code, usually turning a short piece of code into a longer code sequence.
Lisp macros produce Lisp code as output; this code is executed or compiled.
(defun neq (x y) (not (eq x y))) (defmacro neq (x y) (list 'not (list 'eq x y))) (defmacro neq (x y) `(not (eq ,x ,y)))
In C, #define name pattern specifies a textual substitution. If pattern contains an operation, it should be parenthesized.
#define sum x + y /* needs parens */ z = sum * sum;