WORKS!!! Thank you very much

"Real life" *.inc entry is to execute macro routine "Entry^HS.Local.VA.Util.Log(%arr,,"D")" if Global ^GlFSL("Debug") is >0 by calling from a classmethod as $$$TestIf(arr) - no return value is required.
Initial attempt was by defining in *inc file as:
    #define TestIf(%arr)        if (^GlFSL("Debug")>0) {Entry^HS.Local.VA.Util.Log(%arr,,"D")}
        Note: Without "IF", definition as "#define TestIf(%arr)        Entry^HS.Local.VA.Util.Log(%arr,,"D")" works fine
Upon failures, macro was step-by-step simplified trying to figure out compilation issue -so, "set a = $$$TestIf(5)" is just oversimplified line.
Thank you
 

Real life" code works as well - thank you very much! 

if you have time, please, look into similar issue with "IF" in *inc file https://community.intersystems.com/post/failure-compile-inc-simple-if-s…

Don't pay attention on proposed replacement $SELECT option - I really want to have "clean" IF statement in *inc file.

Thank you.

It works! Thank you - let me try to set "real life" code and test.

"Your" definition is NOT in *.inc file!

Upon inserting in *.inc as:
    #define MyLoop(%count)         set x="" for {i=1:1:%count set x=$order(^%SYS("JOURNAL",x),-1)} QUIT x
And setting in classmethod as:
    set x = $$$MyLoop(5)
I got the following compilation error: 

@Vitaliy Serdtsev

Thank you for the examples. However, replacing a "For" loop isn't quite what I'm looking for.
I'm able to create a simple *.mac routine to achieve the desired functionality, but my issue lies in understanding why the "For" macro fails to compile when used in a .inc file.
What I'm really aiming for is something like Robert's example:
    #define MyLoop(%count) set x="" for i=1:1:%count set x=$order(^%SYS("JOURNAL",x),-1)
(Benjamin's example is more complex, but essentially follows the same idea.)
Also, just to note — I'm encountering a similar issue with IF statements in .inc files. Here's a reference to a related discussion:
https://community.intersystems.com/post/failure-compile-inc-simple-if-s…

Thanks again for your help!

@Robert Cemper

"My" syntax above is just one of many tried attempts, including "1:""", "1:$GET(QUIT)" - I didn't want to list all due to error is always the same:

Thank you.

@Benjamin De Boe
You are right about "mbChuck" initiation for runtime, but the discussion is about compiling macro reference in a class which is way prior runtime.

I need output from macro "For" - so I can't just use "$$$AndBits(^glo1,^glo2)" (or "do $$$AndBits(^glo1,^glo2)"). I am testing compilation and upon finding a right syntax, "For" macro will be extended to return value I am looking for (for example: argument could be an array and output will be comma-separated sting of array values). ObectScript code, to achieve it, is not an issue - I would like to have it as macro in *inc file. So, any ideas how to transform your example into compilable entry? Thank you

While definition should look like "$select(%arr>2:5,%arr<2:123)" it WORKS! - thank you

@Benjamin De Boe

I am pretty familiar with using "##continue" in macro definition - there are a lot for other macros with ##continue  in "*inc file.

Upon defining the macro per your example the error is:

Upon deleting line "set mbChunk=""     ##continue" (seems like unnecessary) the error is more definitive (pointing to "for" itself"):

@Robert Cemper
While the definition, IMO, seems valid, I got the error on attempt to compile  class with call in it - see below. But the message does not contain annoying "Invalid function" - complain is regarding missing space in definition.

Of course, statement  "set a = $$$TestIf(3)" has space (Tab) prior - otherwise compilation error would be different - related to class - not invalid function "If.."