Parameterized Functions and Types

Abstract

A function or type is said to be parameterized when one or more types used in the declaration and definition are left unspecified, so that users of the type can substitute the types of their choice. Parameterized functions are functions that have a type parameter in their argument list (or at least the return type). There are two types of parameterized types in C++/CLI: templates, which are inherited from C++, and generics, which are the CLI parameterized type. This chapter will explore generics in detail, look at some useful collection classes and container types, and then look at managed templates and compare them with generics. It will also discuss when to use generics and when to use managed templates.