Write Basic Clojure Macros Safely

The safest way to write a macro is to start with a function and move to defmacro only when you need syntax or evaluation control.

Basic macro writing is mostly about three habits:

For Java engineers, treat a macro like source generation inside the language. The call site may be compact, but the expansion is the real code your team must understand.

In this section

• Define Clojure Macros with defmacro
  Learn how defmacro receives unevaluated forms, returns generated Clojure code, and should be reviewed with macroexpand before Java teams rely on a custom syntax form.
• Build a Small Clojure Macro Example
  Walk through a small timing macro that shows when macro syntax is useful, how to keep generated code readable, and how Java engineers should review the expansion before using it.
• Use Quote and Unquote in Clojure Macros
  Learn how quote, syntax quote, unquote, unquote-splicing, and auto-gensyms work together to build readable Clojure macro templates without variable capture.