C++ Templates

Question 1
Which of the following is true about templates.
1) Template is a feature of C++ that allows us to write one code for different data types.

2) We can write one function that can be used for all data types including user defined types. Like sort(), max(), min(), ..etc.

3) We can write one class or struct that can be used for all data types including user defined types. Like Linked List, Stack, Queue ..etc.

4) Template is an example of compile time polymorphism.
Cross
1 and 2
Cross
1, 2 and 3
Cross
1, 2 and 4
Tick
1, 2, 3 and 4


Question 2
Predict the output?
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

template <typename T>
void fun(const T&x)
{
    static int count = 0;
    cout << "x = " << x << " count = " << count << endl;
    ++count;
    return;
}

int main()
{
    fun<int> (1); 
    cout << endl;
    fun<int>(1); 
    cout << endl;
    fun<double>(1.1);
    cout << endl;
    return 0;
}

Tick
x = 1 count = 0

x = 1 count = 1

x = 1.1 count = 0
Cross
x = 1 count = 0

x = 1 count = 0

x = 1.1 count = 0
Cross
x = 1 count = 0

x = 1 count = 1

x = 1.1 count = 2
Cross
Compiler Error


Question 2-Explanation: 
Compiler creates a new instance of a template function for every data type. So compiler creates two functions in the above example, one for int and other for double. Every instance has its own copy of static variable. The int instance of function is called twice, so count is incremented for the second call.
Question 3
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

template <typename T>
T max(T x, T y)
{
    return (x > y)? x : y;
}
int main()
{
    cout << max(3, 7) << std::endl;
    cout << max(3.0, 7.0) << std::endl;
    cout << max(3, 7.0) << std::endl;
    return 0;
}
Cross
7
7.0
7.0
Cross
Compiler Error in all cout statements as data type is not specified.
Tick
Compiler Error in last cout statement as call to max is ambiguous.
Cross
None of the above


Question 3-Explanation: 
The first and second call to max function is a valid call as both the arguments passed are of same data type (i.e int and float respectively). But the third call to max function has arguments of different data type and hence it will generate Compiler Error in last cout statement as call to max is ambiguous. Hence option C is correct
Question 4
Output of following program?
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

template <class T>
class Test
{
private:
    T val;
public:
    static int count;
    Test()  {   count++;   }
};

template<class T>
int Test<T>::count = 0;

int main()
{
    Test<int> a;
    Test<int> b;
    Test<double> c;
    cout << Test<int>::count   << endl;
    cout << Test<double>::count << endl;
    return 0;
}
Cross
0
0
Cross
1
1
Tick
2
1
Cross
1
0


Question 4-Explanation: 
There are two classes created by the template: Test and Test. Since count is a static member, every class has its own copy of it. Also, count gets incremented in constructor.
Question 5
Output of following program? Assume that the size of char is 1 byte and size of int is 4 bytes, and there is no alignment done by the compiler.
#include<iostream>
#include<stdlib.h>
using namespace std;

template<class T, class U>
class A  {
    T x;
    U y;
    static int count;
};

int main()  {
   A<char, char> a;
   A<int, int> b;
   cout << sizeof(a) << endl;
   cout << sizeof(b) << endl;
   return 0;
}
Cross
6
12
Tick
2
8
Cross
Compiler Error: There can not be more than one template arguments.
Cross
8
8


Question 5-Explanation: 
Since count is static, it is not counted in sizeof.
Question 6
Output of following program? Assume that the size of int is 4 bytes and size of double is 8 bytes, and there is no alignment done by the compiler.
#include<iostream>
#include<stdlib.h>
using namespace std;

template<class T, class U, class V=double>
class A  {
    T x;
    U y;
    V z;
    static int count;
};

int main()
{
   A<int, int> a;
   A<double, double> b;
   cout << sizeof(a) << endl;
   cout << sizeof(b) << endl;
   return 0;
}
Tick
16
24
Cross
8
16
Cross
20
28
Cross
Compiler Error: template parameters cannot have default values.


Question 6-Explanation: 
templates can also have default parameters. The rule is same all default values must be on the rightmost side. Since count is static, it is not counted in sizeof.
Question 7
Output of following program.
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

template <class T, int max>
int arrMin(T arr[], int n)
{
   int m = max;
   for (int i = 0; i < n; i++)
      if (arr[i] < m)
         m = arr[i];

   return m;
}

int main()
{
   int arr1[]  = {10, 20, 15, 12};
   int n1 = sizeof(arr1)/sizeof(arr1[0]);

   char arr2[] = {1, 2, 3};
   int n2 = sizeof(arr2)/sizeof(arr2[0]);

   cout << arrMin<int, 10000>(arr1, n1) << endl;
   cout << arrMin<char, 256>(arr2, n2);
   return 0;
}
Cross
Compiler error, template argument must be a data type.
Tick
10
1
Cross
10000
256
Cross
1
1


Question 7-Explanation: 
We can pass non-type arguments to templates. Non-type parameters are mainly used for specifying max or min values or any other constant value for a particular instance of template. The important thing to note about non-type parameters is, they must be const. Compiler must know the value of non-type parameters at compile time. Because compiler needs to create functions/classes for a specified non-type value at compile time. Following is another example of non-type parameters.
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

template < class T, int N >
 T fun (T arr[], int size)
{
    if (size > N)
      cout << \"Not possible\";
    T max = arr[0];
   for (int i = 1; i < size; i++)
      if (max < arr[i])
          max = arr[i];
   return max;
}

int main ()
{
    int arr[] = {12, 3, 14};
    cout << fun  (arr, 3);
}
Question 8
Output?
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

template <int i>
void fun()
{
   i = 20;
   cout << i;
}

int main()
{
   fun<10>();
   return 0;
}
Cross
10
Cross
20
Tick
Compiler Error


Question 8-Explanation: 
Compiler error in line \"i = 20;\" Non-type parameters must be const, so they cannot be modified.
Question 9
Output?
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

template <class T>
T max (T &a, T &b)
{
    return (a > b)? a : b;
}

template <>
int max <int> (int &a, int &b)
{
    cout << "Called ";
    return (a > b)? a : b;
}

int main ()
{
    int a = 10, b = 20;
    cout << max <int> (a, b);
}
Cross
20
Tick
Called 20
Cross
Compiler Error


Question 9-Explanation: 
Above program is an example of template specialization. Sometime we want a different behaviour of a function/class template for a particular data type. For this, we can create a specialized version for that particular data type.
Question 10
Output?
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
 
template<int n> struct funStruct
{
    static const int val = 2*funStruct<n-1>::val;
};
 
template<> struct funStruct<0>
{
    static const int val = 1 ;
};
 
int main()
{
    cout << funStruct<10>::val << endl;
    return 0;
}
Cross
Compiler Error
Tick
1024
Cross
2
Cross
1


Question 10-Explanation: 
This is an example of template metaprogramming. The program mainly calculates 2^10.
There are 12 questions to complete.


  • Last Updated : 28 Sep, 2023

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