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Differences Between C++ Templates and C# Generics (C# Programming Guide)

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C# Generics and C++ templates are both language features that provide support for parameterized types. However, there are many differences between the two. At the syntax level, C# generics are a simpler approach to parameterized types without the complexity of C++ templates. In addition, C# does not attempt to provide all of the functionality that C++ templates provide. At the implementation level, the primary difference is that C# generic type substitutions are performed at run time and generic type information is thereby preserved for instantiated objects. For more information, see Generics in the Runtime.

The following are the key differences between C# Generics and C++ templates:

  • C# generics do not provide the same amount of flexibility as C++ templates. For example, it is not possible to call arithmetic operators in a C# generic class, although it is possible to call user defined operators.

  • C# does not allow non-type template parameters, such as template C<int i> {}.

  • C# does not support explicit specialization; that is, a custom implementation of a template for a specific type.

  • C# does not support partial specialization: a custom implementation for a subset of the type arguments.

  • C# does not allow the type parameter to be used as the base class for the generic type.

  • C# does not allow type parameters to have default types.

  • In C#, a generic type parameter cannot itself be a generic, although constructed types can be used as generics. C++ does allow template parameters.

  • C++ allows code that might not be valid for all type parameters in the template, which is then checked for the specific type used as the type parameter. C# requires code in a class to be written in such a way that it will work with any type that satisfies the constraints. For example, in C++ it is possible to write a function that uses the arithmetic operators + and - on objects of the type parameter, which will produce an error at the time of instantiation of the template with a type that does not support these operators. C# disallows this; the only language constructs allowed are those that can be deduced from the constraints.

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