[description], Story, any other text you want to use.

 by: Muthukumar

C++ Function templates are those functions which can handle different data types without separate code for each of them. For a similar operation on several kinds of data types, a programmer need not write different versions by overloading a function. It is enough if he writes a C++ template based function. This will take care of all the data types.

There are two types of templates in C++, viz., function templates and class templates. This article deals with only the function templates.

There are lot of occasions, where we might need to write the same functions for different data types. A favorite example can be addition of two variables. The variable can be integer, float or double. The requirement will be to return the corresponding return type based on the input type. If we start writing one function for each of the data type, then we will end up with 4 to 5 different functions, which can be a night mare for maintenance.

C++ templates come to our rescue in such situations. When we use C++ function templates, only one function signature needs to be created. The C++ compiler will automatically generate the required functions for handling the individual data types. This is how a programmer's life is made a lot easier.

C++ Template functions - Details:

Let us assume a small example for Add function. If the requirement is to use this Add function for both integer and float, then two functions are to be created for each of the data type (overloading).

   int Add(int a,int b) { return a+b;} // function Without C++ template
   float Add(float a, float b) { return a+b;} // function Without C++ template

If there are some more data types to be handled, more functions should be added.

But if we use a c++ function template, the whole process is reduced to a single c++ function template. The following will be the code fragment for Add function.

   template
   T Add(T a, T b) //C++ function template sample
   {
     return a+b;
   }

This c++ function template definition will be enough. Now when the integer version of the function, the compiler generates an Add function compatible for integer data type and if float is called it generates float type and so on.

Here T is the typename. This is dynamically determined by the compiler according to the parameter passed. The keyword class means, the parameter can be of any type. It can even be a class.

C++ Template functions - Applicability:

C++ function templates can be used wherever the same functionality has to be performed with a number of data types. Though very useful, lots of care should be taken to test the C++ template functions during development. A well written c++ template will go a long way in saving time for programmers.

About The Author Muthukumar More articles can be found at http://www.codersource.net/.

Real Time Media On The Net

web site hosting
cable tv test chips
live interactive webcast
netshow
cable tv decoder
satellite television tv
radio control
streaming video production
telechargement
gadgets
high speed internet access
persian satellite television
npr
dsl service provider
webradio
video server

Main Menu
Real Time Media On The Net
Site Map

News for 21-Aug-25

Source: BBC News - Home
Arctic heatwave could break records

Source: BBC News - Home
All heart

Source: BBC News - Home
Steam baths and brandy

Source: BBC News - Home
Obama's snowman phobia

Source: BBC News - Home
Ken Matheson: Former British Cycling coach says 'culture of fear' exists

Source: BBC News - Home
How phones changed the imagery of the American campaign

Source: BBC News - Home
Crash survivor: 'I put my seatbelt on'

Source: BBC News - Home
Libya Malta hijack: Hijackers arrested as drama ends peacefully

Source: BBC News - Home
May Christmas message urges unity after Brexit vote

Source: BBC News - Home
George North: World Rugby wants more information from RFU over 'non-compliance'