Chapter 16.2, Problem 16.6CP

Explanation of Solution

Function template:

In C++, a function template is referred as a “generic” function, which can work with different data types.

• While writing a function template, a programmer should use a “type parameter” to denote a “generic” data type instead of using the actual parameter.
• The compiler generates the code, when it encounters a function call to a function template. This code will handle the particular data type which is used in the function call.
• The compiler indentifies the argument type and generates the code to work with those types.
• The generated code is referred as “template function”.

Example:

For example consider the following function template for finding a cube of value:

template <class T>

T cube(T x)

{

return x * x * x ;

}

• A function template must begin with the keyword “template” and it is followed by a pair of angle brackets, which contains one or more “generic” data types...