This document discusses C++ function templates, which provide a compact way to create overloaded functions that generate separate functions for different data types. It explains that function templates begin with the keyword "template" followed by type parameters in angle brackets. The type parameters act as placeholders that get replaced by the actual type in a function call. An example is provided of a template function that squares its input value, showing how the template type T gets replaced by int when called with an int parameter.

1. FUNCTION TEMPLATES Lecture 2.6
Prepared by: Mian Saeed Akbar

2. FUNCTION TEMPLATES
o Compact way to make overloaded functions
 Generate separate function for different data types
oFormat
 Begin with keyword template
 Formal type parameters in brackets <>
 Every type parameter preceded by typename or class
(synonyms)
 Placeholders for built-in types (i.e., int) or user-defined
types
 Specify arguments types, return types, declare variables
 Function definition like normal, except formal types used
template < class T >
// or template< typename T >
T square( T value1 )
{
return value1 * value1;
}

3. FUNCTION TEMPLATES
 T is a formal type, used as parameter type
 Above function returns variable of same type as parameter
 In function call, T replaced by real type
 If int, all T's become ints
int x;
int y = square(x);
template < class T > // or template< typename T >
T square( T value1 )
{
return value1 * value1;
}

4. Thank you
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