What are C++ templates and how do they relate to metaprogramming?

What are C++ templates and how do they relate to metaprogramming?

C++ templates are a powerful feature that allows you to write generic and reusable code. They enable metaprogramming by allowing the compiler to generate code based on types at compile time.

Can you give me an example of a template in C++?

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

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

How does this relate to metaprogramming?

In metaprogramming, templates can be used to perform computations at compile time, allowing for optimizations and type manipulations without runtime overhead.

What are some advanced uses of templates in C++?

Advanced uses include template specialization, variadic templates, and SFINAE (Substitution Failure Is Not An Error), which can create highly flexible and efficient code.