why do you template a class in C++ code example

Example 1: function template

template <class T>
void swap(T & lhs, T & rhs)
{
 T tmp = lhs;
 lhs = rhs;
 rhs = tmp;
}

void main()
{
  int a = 6;
  int b = 42;
  swap<int>(a, b);
  printf("a=%d, b=%d\n", a, b);
  
  // Implicit template parameter deduction
  double f = 5.5;
  double g = 42.0;
  swap(f, g);
  printf("f=%f, g=%f\n", f, g);
}

/*
Output:
a=42, b=6
f=42.0, g=5.5
*/

Example 2: c++ class template

#include <vector>

// This is your own template
// T it's just a type
template <class T1, class T2, typename T3, typename T4 = int>
class MyClass
{
  public:
  	MyClass() { }
  
  private:
  	T1 data; 		// For example this data variable is T type
  	T2 anotherData;	// Actually you can name it as you wish but
  	T3 variable;	// for convenience you should name it T
}

int main(int argc, char **argv)
{
  std::vector<int> array(10);
  //          ^^^
  // This is a template in std library
  
  MyClass<int> object();
  // This is how it works with your class, just a template for type
  // < > angle brackets means "choose" any type you want
  // But it isn't necessary should work, because of some reasons
  // For example you need a type that do not supporting with class
  return (0);
}

Tags:

Cpp Example