Template Compilation

Question

I have what could possibly be a dumb question, but I\'m just not understanding my book\'s explanation for it.

It says \"When the compiler sees the definition of a t

Answer 1

I won't straight away generate code. Only generate the class or template code when it comes across an instantiation of that template. Thus if you are actually creating an object of that template definition.

In essence, templates allow you abstract away from types. If you need two instantiations of the template class for example for an int and a double the compiler will literally create two of these classes for you when you need them. That is what makes templates so powerful.

I hope my explanation makes some sense.

All the best