Writing Basic Macros

The safest way to write a macro is to start with a function, then convert it to a macro only when you have a concrete reason.

When you do write a macro, you usually rely on:

• Syntax quote ` to build code templates.
• Unquote ~ and unquote-splicing ~@ to insert values/forms into those templates.
• Gensyms (auto-generated symbols) to avoid variable capture.

Your goal is to produce boring, predictable expansions that read like code you’d happily review.

In this section

• Defining Macros with `defmacro` in Clojure
  Learn how to define macros in Clojure using `defmacro`, understand their syntax, and explore their powerful metaprogramming capabilities.
• Clojure Macros: A Simple Macro Example for Java Developers
  Explore the creation of a simple macro in Clojure, such as a `when` macro, and understand how it transforms input into executable code, with comparisons to Java.
• Clojure Quoting and Unquoting: Mastering Code Templates in Macros
  Explore the intricacies of quoting and unquoting in Clojure macros. Learn how to use syntax-quote, unquote, and unquote-splicing to construct dynamic code templates.