Precompiler

Definition
Precompiler is

"[a] computer program which processes the source code of another computer program immediately before that program is to be compiled. It may provide the programer:


 * The ability to use convenient abbreviations which are not acceptable to the compiler itself: the precompiler expands ("transcribes") the shorthand version into source code which is acceptable to the compiler.
 * The ability to use non-standard programing statements which are not acceptable to the compiler. Tbis may be done to aid structured programing in a language that is not well suited to it. The added statements are translated into standard language statements (called a "structured programing precompiler").
 * The ability to enforce standards. The source statements written by a programer can be "edited" for usages which violate the standards the programer is supposed to be following."