C++ ClassesLesson 40Free preview

C++ Templates

This lesson is part of C++ · All levels

Summary

Templates allow us to write a single piece of generic code that works for many types of data. C++ has a template for versatile functions such as max or swap, as well as a class template for containers such as Box or our version pairs. The compiler will produce a specific version of the type required (template instantiation), so it is efficient and remains type-safe.

Key points

The Function template is written as a template <typename T> or template <class T> before the function definition.
The class template is written as the template <typename T> class Name {...}; and used as the Name<int>.
The type can be determined automatically from the argument or explicitly enforced as a maximum.
Templates help avoid duplication of code for different data types.

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