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, while macros 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, whereas macros can lead to harder-to-debug code and lack type safety.

Are there any scenarios where macros might be preferred?

Yes, macros can be useful for simple code substitutions or conditional compilation, especially when performance is critical and type safety is not a concern.

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)).