Preventing multiple #define when including headers

Question

coming from python and am a bit tripped up on what the proper approach to this is.

I am trying to include this library in my project: https://github.com/nothings/stb/blob

Answer 1

You should have the #define STB_IMAGE_IMPLEMENTATION macro definition in exactly one source file that includes (a .cpp file, not in a header).

Since you can also only have one source file that defines main(), it is simple to put the #define in the same file as main() (as long as it also includes ), but it can be used in any other source file if you prefer. You could even create a source file stb_image_imp.cpp that contains just the two lines shown, and link that into your program (or library) too.

All other source files in the project should only include without also defining the macro.