Imperfect C++ Practical Solutions for Real-Life Programming

Chapter 21. Veneers

Veneer: A thin leaf or layer of a more valuable or beautiful material for overlaying an inferior one.

Veneers are used to layer type, functionality, or both, over existing types in a fine-grained manner. A veneer is often used to add that “final touch” to an existing, substantial type. It may also be a way to bind specific behavior to a simple type. Think of veneers as being a jar of fine polish in your cognizant-conversion toolbox.

Definition: Veneers

A veneer is a template class with the following characteristics:

1. It derives, usually publicly, from its primary parameterizing type.

2. It accommodates, and adheres to, the polymorphic nature of its primary parameterizing type. This means that a veneer cannot define any virtual methods ...