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

Can you explain the differences between templates and macros in C++?

Sure! Templates are a feature in C++ that allows functions and classes to operate with generic types. Macros, on the other hand, are preprocessor directives that perform text substitution before compilation.

What are the advantages of using templates over macros?

Templates provide type safety and better error checking at compile time, while macros can lead to code that is harder to debug and maintain.

Are there any scenarios where I should prefer macros?

Yes, macros can be useful for simple code substitutions or conditional compilation, but they should be used sparingly due to potential pitfalls.

Can you give an example of a template and a macro?

Certainly! A template example is template <typename T> T add(T a, T b) { return a + b; }. A macro example is #define SQUARE(x) ((x) * (x)).