Understanding C++ Templates
In C++, templates are a mechanism for generic programming. They allow the definition of functions or classes with placeholder types that are specified later when the template is used. This enables the creation of flexible and reusable code. The two primary types of templates in C++ are function templates and class templates.
// Function Template
template <typename T>
T add(T a, T b) {
return a + b;
}
// Class Template
template <typename T>
class Container {
public:
T value;
Container(T val) : value(val) {}
};
In the above example, add is a function template that can add two values of any type, and Container is a class template that can hold a value of any type.
Why can templates only be implemented in the header file?
Templates are a powerful feature in C++ that allows for the creation of generic functions and classes. They provide a way to write code that works with different data types without sacrificing type safety. However, one notable restriction when working with templates is that their implementation is often required to be in the header file. This limitation arises due to the way C++ templates are compiled and instantiated.
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