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

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

When using templates in C++, it's important to keep your code readable and maintainable. Here are some best practices:

1. Use meaningful names for template parameters.
2. Limit the complexity of template code.
3. Prefer type traits and SFINAE for type checks.
4. Document your templates well.

Can you explain SFINAE and how it relates to templates?

SFINAE stands for 'Substitution Failure Is Not An Error.' It allows you to write templates that can fail gracefully during substitution, enabling you to create more flexible and type-safe code. This is particularly useful for enabling or disabling template instantiations based on certain conditions.

What are some common pitfalls to avoid with templates?

Common pitfalls include:

1. Overusing templates, which can lead to code bloat.
2. Not providing clear error messages, making debugging difficult.
3. Forgetting to specialize templates when necessary, which can lead to unexpected behavior.

How can I improve the performance of template-heavy code?

To improve performance, consider:

1. Reducing template instantiation by using non-template alternatives where possible.
2. Using inline functions to minimize function call overhead.
3. Leveraging template specialization to optimize specific cases.