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 7, Patterns and Idioms

Question 1

What are typical problems for which the Curiously Recuring Template Pattern is used?

Answer

The Curiously Recurring Template Pattern (CRTP) is typically used for solving problems such as adding common functionality to types and avoiding code duplication, limiting the number of times a type can be instantiated, or implementing the composite design pattern.

Question 2

What are mixins and what is their purpose?

Answer

Mixins are small classes that are designed to add functionality to other classes, by inheriting from the classes they are supposed to complement. This is the opposite of the CRTP pattern.

Question 3

What is type erasure?

Answer

Type erasure is the term used to describe a pattern that removes information from types, making it possible for types that are not related to be treated in a generic way. Although forms of type erasure can be achieved with void pointers or polymorphism, the true type erasure...