Template (C++)
Do you know how when you draw a picture, you might use a shape or pattern multiple times? For example, you might draw a flower and then draw the same flower again and again to make a big garden of flowers. In the same way, programmers use templates in C++ to save time and avoid writing the same code multiple times.
A template is like a blueprint or a pattern for creating a certain type of code. It's like having a stencil to draw the same shape multiple times. Instead of writing the same code over and over again, you can create a template and then reuse it for different variables or data types.
Let's say you want to make a function that adds two numbers together, but you want it to work for any type of number (like integers, floating point numbers, or complex numbers). Instead of writing a separate function for each data type, you can create a template for the function that works for any data type.
Here's an example:
```
template <typename T>
T add(T a, T b) {
return a + b;
}
```
In this example, `typename T` is the template, and it's saying that the function can work for any type of data (`T` stands for "type"). When you call the function, you can specify the data type you want to use, like this:
```
int x = add(3, 5); // x is 8
float y = add(2.5, 3.5); // y is 6.0
```
In the first call to the `add` function, `T` is replaced with the `int` data type, and in the second call, `T` is replaced with the `float` data type. The function works for both data types because it's a template that can be used for any type of data.
Templates can be used for many different types of code in C++, like classes, functions, and data structures. They're a powerful tool that can save time and make your code more flexible and reusable.
A template is like a blueprint or a pattern for creating a certain type of code. It's like having a stencil to draw the same shape multiple times. Instead of writing the same code over and over again, you can create a template and then reuse it for different variables or data types.
Let's say you want to make a function that adds two numbers together, but you want it to work for any type of number (like integers, floating point numbers, or complex numbers). Instead of writing a separate function for each data type, you can create a template for the function that works for any data type.
Here's an example:
```
template <typename T>
T add(T a, T b) {
return a + b;
}
```
In this example, `typename T` is the template, and it's saying that the function can work for any type of data (`T` stands for "type"). When you call the function, you can specify the data type you want to use, like this:
```
int x = add(3, 5); // x is 8
float y = add(2.5, 3.5); // y is 6.0
```
In the first call to the `add` function, `T` is replaced with the `int` data type, and in the second call, `T` is replaced with the `float` data type. The function works for both data types because it's a template that can be used for any type of data.
Templates can be used for many different types of code in C++, like classes, functions, and data structures. They're a powerful tool that can save time and make your code more flexible and reusable.