What are the differences between templates and inheritance in programming?

What are the differences between templates and inheritance in programming?

Templates and inheritance are both ways to achieve code reuse, but they work differently. Templates allow for generic programming, enabling functions and classes to operate with any data type. Inheritance, on the other hand, allows a class to inherit properties and methods from another class, promoting a hierarchical relationship.

Can you give me an example of when to use templates?

Sure! Use templates when you want to create a function that can work with different data types without rewriting the code. For example, a template function for sorting can sort arrays of integers, floats, or even custom objects.

And what about inheritance? When is it more appropriate?

Inheritance is more appropriate when you have a clear hierarchical relationship between classes. For instance, if you have a base class 'Animal' and derived classes like 'Dog' and 'Cat', inheritance allows you to define common behaviors in 'Animal' and specific behaviors in 'Dog' and 'Cat'.

Are there any downsides to using either approach?

Yes, templates can lead to code bloat if overused, as each instantiation creates a new version of the function or class. Inheritance can lead to tight coupling and make the code harder to maintain if the hierarchy becomes too complex.