PIMPLM

PIMPLM is a term often encountered in software development, particularly in C++. It stands for Pointer to Implementation or, more commonly, Private Implementation. This design pattern is used to hide the internal details of a class from its users. The core idea is to separate the interface of a class (what the user can interact with) from its implementation (how it works internally).

Typically, a class will declare a pointer to an incomplete type in its header file. The actual implementation details, including member variables and methods, are then defined in a separate private class, often named something like `ClassNameImpl`. The public class then forwards all its method calls to this private implementation object.

The benefits of using PIMPLM include improved compile times, as changes to the implementation do not require recompiling all code that uses the class. It also enhances encapsulation by preventing users from depending on internal implementation details, making the code more maintainable and less prone to breaking when internal changes are made. Furthermore, it can be used to manage binary compatibility issues. The PIMPLM pattern is a powerful technique for managing complexity and improving the robustness of C++ codebases.