Templates

C++ templates enable you to define a family of functions or classes that can operate on different types of information. The Microsoft implementation of C++ templates is based on the ISO/ANSI C++ Standard.

Use templates in situations that result in duplication of the same code for multiple types. For example, you can use function templates to create a set of functions that apply the same algorithm to different data types. You can also use class templates to develop a set of typesafe classes. Templates are sometimes a better solution than C macros and void pointers, and they are especially useful when working with collections (one of the main uses for templates in MFC) and smart pointers.

In This Section

• Overview
  Provides general information about templates, or parameterized types, in Visual C++.

• Specifications
  Provides a specification for a template declaration.

• typename
  Describes the typename keyword.

• Referencing Templates [C++ Language]
  Provides a task showing how to reference templates in your code.

• Angle Bracket Placement
  Describes how angle brackets are placed in templates.

• Differences from Other Implementations
  Discusses Microsoft-specific implementations of templates.

• Name Resolution
  Discusses the three types of names in template definitions.

• Class Templates
  Describes how to use and work with class templates.

• Function Templates
  Describes how to use and work with function templates.

Related Sections

• ATL Reference
  Provides reference material for the ATL Library, a set of template-based C++ classes that simplify the programming of COM objects.

• C++ Language Reference
  Describes the C++ programming language as implemented in Microsoft C++.

• Generics and Templates
  Discusses the differences between generics and templates.