How can I use “#” as a character in c++ preprocessor directives

Question

I want to redefine #include to a different word. I don't know if C++ preprocessing can do this, but I am trying:

#define import #include
#define io <iostream>

import io

This doesn't work obviously, so I'm just wondering if I can escape the "#" in the "import #include" statement to completely change it, but this would also require another run-through for the preprocessor I believe. Any input for this would be much appreciated.

Error output is " Stray "#" found in statement... " for anyone who wants to know the error.

EDIT: I looked at the comments, and I now understand more how the c preprocessor works. I didn't really understand it before, but I think I found a work-around. The reason for this was to create a somewhat easy way to convert import statements from one language to include statements in c++. The language was of my own making, and yes, it does things that can't be done in other languages.

Answer 1

You can't redefine #include via facilities in the C++ language (including the preprocessor), sorry.

But you can preprocess the source code via any program, even one written in C++. Although my impression is that a scripting language is the most common choice. However, only do that for a very good reason.

For example, some people, including myself, think that the preprocessing in the Qt framework is Evil™. It's certainly unnecessary in modern C++, the language after C++11. But that framework predates modern C++.