Platform-Dependent Compilation

Platform-Dependent Compilation

Platform-dependent compilation allows you to write code that only compiles for specific target platforms, avoiding compiler errors from platform-specific APIs.

Platform Defines

Unity pre-defines specific preprocessor symbols:

void Start()
{
#if UNITY_EDITOR
    Debug.Log("Running inside the Unity Editor");
#elif UNITY_ANDROID
    Debug.Log("Running on Android device");
#elif UNITY_IOS
    Debug.Log("Running on iOS device");
#elif UNITY_WEBGL
    Debug.Log("Running in a WebGL browser context");
#else
    Debug.Log("Running on another platform");
#endif
}

Common Built-in Symbols

• UNITY_EDITOR: Defined only when running inside the Unity Editor.
• UNITY_STANDALONE: Target is a desktop platform (Windows, macOS, Linux).
• UNITY_ANDROID / UNITY_IOS: Target is a mobile platform.
• DEVELOPMENT_BUILD: Defined when building with the "Development Build" option enabled.

Guarding Editor Code

Any script referencing the UnityEditor namespace must be guarded with #if UNITY_EDITOR or placed in an Editor folder, otherwise compilation will fail during build generation:

#if UNITY_EDITOR
using UnityEditor;

public class CustomBuildTool
{
    public static void PerformBuild() { }
}
#endif

Custom Scripting Define Symbols

Define your own global preprocessor symbols:

1. Open Project Settings > Player > Other Settings.
2. Scroll to Scripting Define Symbols and add your symbol (e.g. ENABLE_DEBUG_MENU).

#if ENABLE_DEBUG_MENU
ShowDebugButtons();
#endif

TL;DR

• Use preprocessor directives (#if, #elif, #endif) for platform-specific API calls.
• Always wrap UnityEditor namespace code in #if UNITY_EDITOR to avoid build errors.
• Create custom compilation symbols in the Player settings.