luokkatemplaatista

Luokkatemplaatti, or class template in English, is a fundamental concept in C++ programming that allows for the creation of generic classes. Instead of writing separate classes for different data types, a class template defines a blueprint for a class that can operate on any data type specified by the user at compile time. This promotes code reusability and reduces redundancy.

The syntax for defining a class template involves the keyword template followed by angle brackets containing one or more type parameters, typically represented by T, U, or similar placeholders. The actual class definition then follows, using these type parameters as if they were concrete data types. For instance, a `Vector` class template could be defined to store elements of any type, such as integers, floats, or strings.

When a class template is used, the compiler generates a specific class instantiation based on the type arguments provided. For example, if you declare `Vector<int> myIntVector;`, the compiler creates a version of the `Vector` class designed to hold integers. This process is known as template instantiation. Class templates are widely used in the C++ Standard Library, notably in containers like `std::vector`, `std::list`, and `std::map`, which are all implemented using templates to handle various data types efficiently. They are a powerful tool for writing flexible and type-safe code.