EASYTUTORGUIDEC++ • C++23 / ISO/IEC 14882:2024

Templates

C++ Chapter 25 of 60. Beginner-to-advanced teaching with a code example for every topic.

5 topics5 code examples10 Q&A

25.1 Template Basics 25.2 Function Templates 25.3 Class Templates 25.4 Constraints/Concepts 25.5 Template Design

25.1 Template Basics

Template Basics is part of Templates. Learn what the construct does, the syntax it requires, how data moves through it, and the mistakes that can make the program incorrect or unsafe.

Why it matters

Use this feature when it makes the program clearer, safer, easier to maintain, or more efficient. Start with a small example before using it in a larger application.

Code example

#include <iostream>
template<class T> T twice(T x){ return x+x; }
int main(){ std::cout<<twice(21)<<"\n"; }

Step-by-step

Read the declarations and identify each value or object.
Follow execution from the first statement to the last.
Predict the output before running the example.
Run or compile it using the toolchain for this course.
Change one input and explain why the new result changes.

Expected result

The example should demonstrate Template Basics with a small, inspectable result. For platform-dependent or advanced examples, focus on the API pattern and verify the exact environment requirements.

Common mistakes

Common mistakes include using the feature before understanding lifetime/scope, ignoring errors, assuming conversions are harmless, or writing code that works only for one happy-path input.

Practice

Rewrite the example with different data. Add one edge case, predict the result, then test it. Explain the feature in your own words without looking at the lesson.

25.2 Function Templates

Function Templates is part of Templates. Learn what the construct does, the syntax it requires, how data moves through it, and the mistakes that can make the program incorrect or unsafe.

Why it matters

Use this feature when it makes the program clearer, safer, easier to maintain, or more efficient. Start with a small example before using it in a larger application.

Code example

#include <iostream>
int add(int a,int b){return a+b;} int main(){std::cout<<add(3,4)<<"\n";}

Step-by-step

Read the declarations and identify each value or object.
Follow execution from the first statement to the last.
Predict the output before running the example.
Run or compile it using the toolchain for this course.
Change one input and explain why the new result changes.

Expected result

The example should demonstrate Function Templates with a small, inspectable result. For platform-dependent or advanced examples, focus on the API pattern and verify the exact environment requirements.

Common mistakes

Common mistakes include using the feature before understanding lifetime/scope, ignoring errors, assuming conversions are harmless, or writing code that works only for one happy-path input.

Practice

Rewrite the example with different data. Add one edge case, predict the result, then test it. Explain the feature in your own words without looking at the lesson.

25.3 Class Templates

Class Templates is part of Templates. Learn what the construct does, the syntax it requires, how data moves through it, and the mistakes that can make the program incorrect or unsafe.

Why it matters

Use this feature when it makes the program clearer, safer, easier to maintain, or more efficient. Start with a small example before using it in a larger application.

Code example

#include <iostream>
#include <string>
class Person{public: std::string name; explicit Person(std::string n):name(std::move(n)){} }; int main(){Person p{"Ana"}; std::cout<<p.name;}

Step-by-step

Read the declarations and identify each value or object.
Follow execution from the first statement to the last.
Predict the output before running the example.
Run or compile it using the toolchain for this course.
Change one input and explain why the new result changes.

Expected result

The example should demonstrate Class Templates with a small, inspectable result. For platform-dependent or advanced examples, focus on the API pattern and verify the exact environment requirements.

Common mistakes

Common mistakes include using the feature before understanding lifetime/scope, ignoring errors, assuming conversions are harmless, or writing code that works only for one happy-path input.

Practice

Rewrite the example with different data. Add one edge case, predict the result, then test it. Explain the feature in your own words without looking at the lesson.

25.4 Constraints/Concepts

Constraints/Concepts is part of Templates. Learn what the construct does, the syntax it requires, how data moves through it, and the mistakes that can make the program incorrect or unsafe.

Why it matters

Use this feature when it makes the program clearer, safer, easier to maintain, or more efficient. Start with a small example before using it in a larger application.

Code example

#include <iostream>
template<class T> T twice(T x){ return x+x; }
int main(){ std::cout<<twice(21)<<"\n"; }

Step-by-step

Read the declarations and identify each value or object.
Follow execution from the first statement to the last.
Predict the output before running the example.
Run or compile it using the toolchain for this course.
Change one input and explain why the new result changes.

Expected result

The example should demonstrate Constraints/Concepts with a small, inspectable result. For platform-dependent or advanced examples, focus on the API pattern and verify the exact environment requirements.

Common mistakes

Common mistakes include using the feature before understanding lifetime/scope, ignoring errors, assuming conversions are harmless, or writing code that works only for one happy-path input.

Practice

Rewrite the example with different data. Add one edge case, predict the result, then test it. Explain the feature in your own words without looking at the lesson.

25.5 Template Design

Template Design is part of Templates. Learn what the construct does, the syntax it requires, how data moves through it, and the mistakes that can make the program incorrect or unsafe.

Why it matters

Use this feature when it makes the program clearer, safer, easier to maintain, or more efficient. Start with a small example before using it in a larger application.

Code example

#include <iostream>
template<class T> T twice(T x){ return x+x; }
int main(){ std::cout<<twice(21)<<"\n"; }

Step-by-step

Read the declarations and identify each value or object.
Follow execution from the first statement to the last.
Predict the output before running the example.
Run or compile it using the toolchain for this course.
Change one input and explain why the new result changes.

Expected result

The example should demonstrate Template Design with a small, inspectable result. For platform-dependent or advanced examples, focus on the API pattern and verify the exact environment requirements.

Common mistakes

Common mistakes include using the feature before understanding lifetime/scope, ignoring errors, assuming conversions are harmless, or writing code that works only for one happy-path input.

Practice

Rewrite the example with different data. Add one edge case, predict the result, then test it. Explain the feature in your own words without looking at the lesson.