What are the best practices for using generics in C++?

What are the best practices for using generics in C++?

Using generics in C++ can enhance code reusability and type safety. Here are some best practices:

1. Use templates: Prefer templates over macros for type safety.
2. Keep it simple: Avoid overly complex template metaprogramming unless necessary.
3. Use type traits: Leverage type traits to enable or disable template instantiations based on type properties.
4. Document your code: Clearly document template parameters and expected types to aid understanding.
5. Test thoroughly: Ensure that your generic code is well-tested with various types.

Can you explain why templates are preferred over macros?

Templates are preferred over macros because they provide type safety, allowing the compiler to catch errors at compile time. Macros, on the other hand, perform simple text substitution, which can lead to unexpected behavior and harder-to-debug code. Templates also allow for better code readability and maintainability.

What are type traits and how do they help with generics?

Type traits are a set of template classes in C++ that provide information about types at compile time. They help with generics by allowing you to write more flexible and type-safe code. For example, you can use type traits to enable or disable certain template instantiations based on whether a type is integral, floating-point, or user-defined, thus tailoring the behavior of your templates.

Can you give an example of a simple generic function?

Sure! Here's a simple example of a generic function that swaps two values:

template <typename T>
void swap(T& a, T& b) {
    T temp = a;
    a = b;
    b = temp;
}

This function can swap values of any type, as long as the type supports assignment.