Book Image

Template Metaprogramming with C++

By : Marius Bancila
5 (1)
Book Image

Template Metaprogramming with C++

5 (1)
By: Marius Bancila

Overview of this book

Learn how the metaprogramming technique enables you to create data structures and functions that allow computation to happen at compile time. With this book, you'll realize how templates help you avoid writing duplicate code and are key to creating generic libraries, such as the standard library or Boost, that can be used in a multitude of programs. The introductory chapters of this book will give you insights into the fundamentals of templates and metaprogramming. You'll then move on to practice writing complex templates and exploring advanced concepts such as template recursion, template argument deduction, forwarding references, type traits, and conditional compilation. Along the way, you'll learn how to write variadic templates and how to provide requirements to the template arguments with C++20 constraints and concepts. Finally, you'll apply your knowledge of C++ metaprogramming templates to implement various metaprogramming patterns and techniques. By the end of this book, you'll have learned how to write effective templates and implement metaprogramming in your everyday programming journey.
Table of Contents (16 chapters)
1
Part 1: Core Template Concepts
5
Part 2: Advanced Template Features
9
Part 3: Applied Templates
Appendix: Closing Notes

Chapter 1, Introduction to Templates

Question 1

Why do we need templates? What advantages do they provide?

Answer

There are several benefits to using templates: they help us avoid writing repetitive code, they foster the creation of generic libraries, and they can help us write less and better code.

Question 2

How do you call a function that is a template? What about a class that is a template?

Answer

A function that is a template is called a function template. Similarly, a class that is a template is called a class template.

Question 3

How many kinds of template parameters exist and what are they?

Answer

There are three kinds of template parameters: type template parameters, non-type template parameters, and template template parameters.

Question 4

What is partial specialization? What about full specialization?

Answer

Specialization is the technique of providing an alternative implementation for a template, called the primary template...