Chapter 16: Problem 4

When writing function or class templates, you use a(n) ___________ to specify a generic data type.

Short Answer

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Answer: The term used to specify a generic data type in function or class templates is called a "template parameter". Template parameters allow us to write a single function or class template that works with different data types, making the code more flexible and reusable.

Step by step solution

Introduction to Generic Data Types

When writing function or class templates, we often need to create a generic data type rather than a specific one. This allows us to write more flexible, reusable code.

Term for Generic Data Type

The term used to specify a generic data type in function or class templates is called a "template parameter". With template parameters, we can write a single function or class template that works with different data types.

Using template parameter to define a function template

Here's an example of using a template parameter to create a function template: ```cpp template T get_max(T a, T b) { return (a > b) ? a : b; } ``` In this code, "T" is the template parameter that can represent any data type. The function get_max will work with different data types, such as int, float or even user-defined data types, as long as the '>' operator is defined for that type. The function returns the maximum of the two provided values.

Using template parameter to define a class template

Here's an example of using a template parameter to create a class template: ```cpp template class Box { public: Box(T value) : _value(value) {} T get() const { return _value; } private: T _value; }; ``` In this code, "T" is the template parameter that represents the data type stored in the Box class. The class template can be used with different data types, for example: ```cpp Box intBox(42); Box floatBox(3.14); ``` Here, we create two instances of the Box class: one with an int and another with a float.

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When writing function or class templates, you use a(n) ___________ to specify a generic data type.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Introduction to Generic Data Types

Term for Generic Data Type

Using template parameter to define a function template

Using template parameter to define a class template

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