What are the differences between templates and macros in C++?

What are the differences between templates and macros in C++?

Templates in C++ are a way to create generic functions or classes, allowing for type-safe code reuse. Macros, on the other hand, are preprocessor directives that perform text substitution before compilation, which can lead to less type safety and harder debugging.

Can you give me an example of a template?

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;
}

What about an example of a macro?

Certainly! Here's a simple macro that swaps two values:

#define SWAP(a, b) { int temp = a; a = b; b = temp; }

However, be cautious with macros as they don't provide type safety.

When should I use templates instead of macros?

You should use templates when you need type safety and want to create reusable code that works with any data type. Macros are better suited for simple text substitutions or when you need conditional compilation.