Inline functions are as 'efficient' as function macros and have the predictable behaviour and type safety advantages of a regular function.

   
   #define MAX(a,b) ( ( a ) > ( b ) ? ( a ) : ( b ) )    // avoid
   
   template< typename T >                                // prefer
   inline const T& max( const T& a, const T& b )
   {
      return a > b ? a : b;
   }

Rule 14.14

Rule 14.17

Effective C++ Item 1;Industrial Strength C++ 13.5;