Templates

Write code once that works with many types — the basis of the STL.

Intermediate

template <typename T>
T clamp_value(T value, T low, T high) {
    return value < low ? low : (value > high ? high : value);
}

clamp_value(150, 0, 100);       // int
clamp_value(3.7, 0.0, 3.3);     // double

template <typename T, std::size_t N>
class RingBuffer { T data_[N]; /* ... */ };   // size known at compile time

The compiler generates a separate version for each type used, so templates have no run-time cost — great for embedded buffers and drivers.

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