I use them in my own code, they are frowned upon a little at work. Probably because 90% of the code cycle is maintaining the code, and it is expensive to train people in all the details of template meta-programming and template instantiation and overload rules.

I can't say i have ever missed them at work. Instead, for example, of using a generic matrix class at work, we simply use a class that is hardcoded for float, how often do you use anything other than float in a matrix class? Not very. Instead of using a dot product meta-program to unroll the loop of dot product, its done by hand.

The argument has also been put at work that they can bloat code with hidden instantiations, though if used properly with a good compiler, that can be reduced a lot. The trouble is the 'used properly' bit, that requires training people to use them properly, which requires time and effort.

Templates do have a lot of powerful uses though, and if the case arose where templates would make the code a lot more maintainable, then I don't think anyone could blame anyone at work for using them.

Personally, I am trying to cut down on the amount that I use templates now, if you are not careful you can end up with every function being a template, and all your code in header files, and 90% of the time it is completely pointless in it being like that.

Tons of template instantiations can also increase compile time dependencies and compilation time, which can be harmful to productivity.

Quote:Original post by smart_idiot
I want templated typedefs, damnit!

There there smart_idiot (patting his shoulder) that day will come.

CoffeeMug:

i would say in the past probably lack/crappy compiler support by particular compiler vendors (not naming culprets of course), and that meta-template programming can look real messy in the wrong hands and scary to novices. I would also blame some older books on c++ they tend to go about teaching c++ the wrong way/backwards even.

I guess another factor is c++ was only standardized in 1998.

To open up your eyes to whats possible get Mordern C++ Design

Quote:Original post by CoffeeMug
Do you use them? How deep is your understanding of them? Do your team members/friends/co-workers use them?

It's rare that I start a project anymore that doesn't have a large amount of templating. People you work with you who also understand the intricacies of templating will love it and those who don't understand templating will hate you for it or call it a waste of time.

Quote:Original post by CoffeeMug
It seems to me that they're still largely taboo for C++ programmers. I know *extremely* talanted people that work for very high quality teams on high budget projects where templates are banned (and most programmers on the team seem to agree with the ban).

Ouch. I would hate to work there. But I'm assuming they're not allowing templating because they focus on portability between compilers and since even now only a few compilers are even close to being fully compliant with it, it's understandable that they might make such harsh rules (though banning them completely still seems absurd to me -- as that means not only can you not make templated stuff but you can't even use the standard template libraries). Nowadays just about all new compilers are compliant enough that you can use basic templating with explicit and even partial specialization without problems.

Quote:Original post by CoffeeMug
I find it rather interesting how 120k+ C++ programmers have so little knowledge about templates (and are consequently afraid of using them). Is it because until recently compilers had very poor support for them? Is it because it's a relatively new feature and people didn't get the chance to learn about it?

I think it's all of those things, but mostly I think it's just that people look at templating as something that will take forever for them to understand and so they are turned off. There are a lot of advanced things you can do with templating that can be very intimidating to those who are new to the concept (metaprogramming, expressions templates, selection and exclusions of instantiations with SFINAE, etc.). It's like an entire new language once you really get into it.

That was me. Coulda sworn I put in my name :/ There should be a warning or something. O snap, now I can't even edit my typos.

Quote:Original post by Pxtl
Java and C# completely failed to get my attention until they got generics.

I wouldn't hold your breath, okay least C# do it better than java.

I do hold my breath for whats in store in C++/CLI AKA "The New C++" or as somebody once doubed microsoft's forked version of standard C++ lol, the combination of generics & templates...

STL.NET anyone?