Why use #define instead of a variable

Question

What is the point of #define in C++? I\'ve only seen examples where it\'s used in place of a \"magic number\" but I don\'t see the point in just giving that val

Answer 1

The #define allows you to establish a value in a header that would otherwise compile to size-greater-than-zero. Your headers should not compile to size-greater-than-zero.

// File:  MyFile.h

// This header will compile to size-zero.
#define TAX_RATE 0.625

// NO:  static const double TAX_RATE = 0.625;
// NO:  extern const double TAX_RATE;  // WHAT IS THE VALUE?

EDIT: As Neil points out in the comment to this post, the explicit definition-with-value in the header would work for C++, but not C.