Navigating C++ and Object-Oriented Design

9.7. Key Point Summary

• The C++ template mechanism supports the implementation of generic functions.

• A template parameter list appears in front of a template function prototype and consists of the keyword template followed by a comma-separated list of class-type pairs enclosed by < and >. A generic TYPE must appear in the signature of every template function. A template function's return type is not part of its signature.

• Template functions may be inline, recursive, static, or external. You may overload template functions as long as their signatures are unique.

• The export keyword instantiates non-inline template functions from separate files.

• Instantiations generate separate function definitions each time you call a template function with a different ...