Function Templates in C++

C++ Solution (templates):

C++ introduced function templates and class templates. Since we are only looking at function templates in this question.

Function Templates are functions that can operate with generic types. i.e the functionality of Function templates can be adapted to more than one type (class is also a type) without repeating the entire code for each type.

The above function to compute sum will be written as

    template  T sum(T a, T b)
    {
        return a + b;
    }

If we call sum for int values, then compiler will generate the below function definition for us

    int sum(int a, int b)
    {
        return a+b;
    }

If we call sum for float values, then compiler will generate the below function definition for us

    float sum(float a, float b)
    {
        return a+b;
    }

i.e Compiler will use the function Template to generate the actual function definition during compilation. From developer point of view, we have to write just one function template.

In case of conflict in the type of parameters, you may use the below(explicit) syntax to call template function

    int p;
    double q;
    sum<double>(p, q);   //Compiler can't determine the mixed type

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