guideline: a macro should not be used in place of a function

src/coding-guidelines/macros.rst

@@ -90,6 +90,89 @@ Macros
 
         // TODO
 
+.. guideline:: A macro should not be used in place of a function
+   :id: gui_2jjWUoF1teOY
+   :category: mandatory
+   :status: draft
+   :release: todo
+   :fls: fls_xa7lp0zg1ol2
+   :decidability: decidable
+   :scope: system
+   :tags: reduce-human-error
+
+   Functions should always be preferred over macros, except when macros provide essential functionality that functions cannot, such as variadic interfaces, compile-time code generation, or syntax extensions via custom derive and attribute macros.
+
+   |
+
+   .. rationale:: 
+      :id: rat_M9bp23ctkzQ7
+      :status: draft
+
+      Macros are powerful but they come at the cost of readability, complexity, and maintainability. They obfuscate control flow and type signatures.
+
+      **Debugging Complexity** 
+
+      - Errors point to expanded code rather than source locations, making it difficult to trace compile-time errors back to the original macro invocation.
+
+      **Optimization**
+
+      - Macros may inhibit compiler optimizations that work better with functions.
+      - Macros act like ``#[inline(always)]`` functions, which can lead to code bloat.
+      - They don't benefit from the compiler's inlining heuristics, missing out on selective inlining where the compiler decides when inlining is beneficial.
+
+      **Functions provide**
+
+      - Clear type signatures.
+      - Predictable behavior.
+      - Proper stack traces.
+      - Consistent optimization opportunities.
+
+
+   .. non_compliant_example::
+      :id: non_compl_ex_TZgk2vG42t2r
+      :status: draft
+
+      Using a macro where a simple function would suffice, leads to hidden mutation:
+
+      .. code-block:: rust
+
+        macro_rules! increment_and_double {
+            ($x:expr) => {
+                {
+                    $x += 1; // mutation is implicit
+                    $x * 2
+                }
+            };
+        }
+        let mut num = 5;
+        let result = increment_and_double!(num);
+        println!("Result: {}, Num: {}", result, num);
+        // Result: 12, Num: 6
+
+      In this example, calling the macro both increments and returns the value in one go—without any clear indication in its “signature” that it mutates its argument. As a result, num is changed behind the scenes, which can surprise readers and make debugging more difficult.
+
+
+   .. compliant_example::
+      :id: compl_ex_iPTgzrvO7qr3
+      :status: draft
+
+      The same functionality, implemented as a function with explicit borrowing:
+
+      .. code-block:: rust
+
+        fn increment_and_double(x: &mut i32) -> i32 {
+            *x += 1; // mutation is explicit 
+            *x * 2
+        }
+        let mut num = 5;
+        let result = increment_and_double(&mut num);
+        println!("Result: {}, Num: {}", result, num);
+        // Result: 12, Num: 6
+
+      The function version makes the mutation and borrowing explicit in its signature, improving readability, safety, and debuggability.
+
+
+
 .. guideline:: Shall not use Function-like Macros
    :id: gui_WJlWqgIxmE8P
    :category: mandatory
@@ -342,4 +425,4 @@ Macros
 
         fn example_function() {
             // Compliant implementation
-        }
+        }