What are some practical use cases for C++ templates?

What are some practical use cases for C++ templates?

C++ templates are widely used for generic programming. They allow you to write code that works with any data type. Common use cases include creating data structures like linked lists and stacks, implementing algorithms like sorting and searching, and building type-safe containers.

Can you give me an example of a template function?

Sure! Here's a simple example of a template 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.

What about template classes? How are they different?

Template classes are similar to template functions but are used to create classes that can operate with any data type. For example:

template <typename T>
class Box {
public:
    T value;
    Box(T val) : value(val) {}
};

This class can hold a value of any type.

Are there any performance considerations when using templates?

Yes, while templates can lead to more efficient code by allowing for compile-time optimizations, they can also increase compile times and lead to code bloat if used excessively. It's important to balance their use with performance needs.