If I want to implement a template class A.
FileA.h
---------------------------Code:#include <FileA.h> template <typename handler> class A { A(handler*); ... };
FileA_impl.h
---------------------------Code:template<typename handler> A<handler>::A(handler * hd):hd(0){} ...
I can't name FileA_impl.cc here, can I?
Last edited by meili100; 11-12-2007 at 02:38 PM.
Look up a C++ Reference and learn How To Ask Questions The Smart WayOriginally Posted by Bjarne Stroustrup (2000-10-14)
You can name it whatever you want, but you must treat it like a header (some people use .inl to indicate it is inlined source code). That means making sure it gets included by source files that use class A.
You should probably #include "FileA_impl.h" at the bottom of FileA.h, since any source file including the first will also probably need the second.
I've never seen the point in separating template class implementations from their definitions. I usually write the code directly in the class definition, i.e. in the .h file.
Thank you. Can I #include "FileA_impl.h" at the top of FileA.h?
This may cause significant code bloat, meaning your executable size may increase dramatically
I do not think so. The executable code bloat would happen whether or not you try and separate the template declarations from their definitions. Note that including the definition file in the header file is equivalent to just placing everything in the header file.This may cause significant code bloat, meaning your executable size may increase dramatically
Look up a C++ Reference and learn How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
Thank you. Let me summarize the points: If I include the impl.h in the FileA.h, whether in the front (as in my original post), or in the bottom, the compiler won't complain. And in both cases it's just like "inline" the implementation.
Please correct me if I am wrong. I also want to make sure that I can include FileA_impl.h in the front.
I don't think you can do it at the top. It needs to be at the bottom because the declaration of the class in the original FileA.h needs to come before the definitions of its member functions in FileA_impl.h.
Not in my experience. Templates are not instantiated until they are used. In fact, only the parts of the template which actually get used get instantiated. There is no difference (that I can find) between writing the method code directly inline or including it later in the template header file. The compiler makes its own decisions which functions to inline, anyway.
