template declaration

[Rahul]

Hi Everyone,

we use the following in the template declaration,

template <class T>

template<typename T>

Is it that typename is preferred as it can be used for all types,
where as class can only be used for custom class types?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Erik Wikström]

Hi Everyone,

we use the following in the template declaration,

template <class T>

template<typename T>

Is it that typename is preferred as it can be used for all types,
where as class can only be used for custom class types?

No, whether you use class or typename here does not matter as far as the
compiler is concerned. I prefer to use typename and only use class for
class declarations.

 

[Barry]

Hi Everyone,

we use the following in the template declaration,

template <class T>

template<typename T>

Is it that typename is preferred as it can be used for all types,
where as class can only be used for custom class types?

Thanks in advance!!!

Both keywords have the same effect here, so it's just a coding style issue.
IIRC, according to "C++ Template: The complete Guide":

when the template parameter is not always a "class type"(including
/class/ /struct/, /union/), in this case, use /typename/:

e.g.

template <typename T>
class A { T t; };

class B {};

A<B> a1;
A<int> a2; // int is not a class type

In the case when the template parameter should be a "class type", use
/class/,

Additionally, when the template argument is of template template
argument, only /class/ can be used.

e.g.

template <template <typename> class TT>
^^^^^
class A;

HTH