ifdef is not documented in the tutorial

[non-Jedi]

Probably not important for someone just learning the language, but it should still be at least mentioned, right?

[SeanTAllen]

@jemc where do you think this should go?

[jemc]

Hmm...

Probably ifdef, compile_error, and compile_intrinsic should all go in a new chapter named something like "Compile-Time Conditionals". The iftype keyword would also go in this chapter too when it is out of its "experimental" status.

The new chapter could go right before the "Gotchas" chapter, I suppose.

[SeanTAllen]

Certainly better than my idea @jemc. My idea was "uhhhhhh...."

[rhagenson]

Currently, ifdef is mentioned in both Keyword (in the table with brief usage) and Program Annotations (as possible annotation).

pony-tutorial/content/appendices/keywords.md

Line 35 in 7e88041

| ifdef | when defining a build flag at compile time: ponyc –D "foo"

pony-tutorial/content/appendices/annotations.md

Line 33 in 7e88041

- `ifdef`

@jemc and @SeanTAllen is ifdef out of "experimental" status yet?

[SeanTAllen]

ifdef isn't experimental. iftype is.

[SeanTAllen]

I think @jemc's idea to have a short compile-time conditionals chapter is a good idea.

[rhagenson]

Goodness me, ificanread is apparently still under consideration though.

[rhagenson]

Unfortunately, I am not familiar enough with the breadth of compile-time conditionals to write such a chapter. If work starts on it, I am willing to help, but I cannot be the one to get the ball rolling on it. Placing the chapter after "Gotchas" makes sense to me for the timing/location of an advanced topic.

[SeanTAllen]

So things to over

• --define and ifdef combo
• --debug and Debug package combo

Anything else @jemc?

[jemc]

The other ones I mentioned were compile_error and compile_intrinsic.

For compile_error, it would make sense to mention that in conjunction with ifdef.

For compile_intrinsic, it's probably just worth mentioning what it does in case someone runs across it, but it's unlikely to be used by anyone unless they are working on the builtin package.