How to read "#"

In the C-language, we use #pragma directives. How do we read the "#" here? I heard there are some alternative ways of reading the symbol(number, hash, etc.), but is there any specific way of reading it when it comes to the C-language?

Personally, I just read it as "pragma", omitting the "#". You might want to ask this question in the Joel On Software forum:
http://discuss.fogcreek.com/joelonsoftware/

Thank you for the information about the software forum!

Then, what about in general? I mean, not specific to the C language. What is the most common way of reading the symbol "#"?

In general I'd call it "hash".

On a telephone pad, it is referred to as the "pound sign." If one were to see "#34," it would be read "number 34."

More than you ever wanted to know...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octothorp

Here in the American Mid-west, I hear "pound sign" 99% of the time, although I'll very occasionally hear "hash." And of course it can represent "number."

Isn't this - £ - the pound sign?
I'd call # hash.

If Americans call # the pound sign, do they also call £ the pound sign?

# - a numeric as mjd says.

Am I right in assuming that the majority of Americans would not recognise £ as the sign for the pound Sterling (British currency)? Or am I doing them an injustice? After all, George Bush could not locate the British Isles on the world map without asistance and a high ranking official in the White House tried to find Spain on a map of Latin America. Sorry guys, but that is true!

Damian,

You are right, did you know Bush said "Welcome Mister president of the spanish Republic" we had a lot of fun in France when we heard that.
Another one, Bush use to say the "greecians" instead of greeks.
There are many others, where did they find that guy?

"If Americans call # the pound sign, do they also call £ the pound sign?"

Most Americans would not even know what a £ is. I'm not saying all, but most!

Re: Bush....

http://www.bushisms.com/

I don't know about most, but I'd say a lot of people know the £. George Bush is not a good gauge by which to judge.

I'd say most Americans in my area do know the £ sign and the € sign too, for that matter. They are rather intelligent, cosmopolitan, and adept at deciphering my Britishisms. Bush and his fellow southern provincials are another matter.

Elaine,
Yeah well I'm sure most, but not all Europeans wouldn't know what a nickel or a dime were. Of course you had to find the lowest denomination in Bush... I heard that both he and Chirac will being playing poker with them at a big lingerie party when their terms lapse. The theme will be "Getting in bed with the enemy".