C++ Template Metaprogramming: Concepts, Tools, and Techniques from Boost and Beyond

Simply put, a metaprogram is a program which generates or manipulates

program code. The ability to programmatically create software allows

programmers to work at a higher level of abstraction appropriate to the

problem domain, and allows the resulting code to be reconfigured without loss

of efficiency. Ever since generic programming was introduced to C++,

programmers have discovered myriad template tricks for manipulating

programs as they are compiled, effectively eliminating the barrier between

program and metaprogram. While the excitement generated by these

capabilities among C++ experts has reached the community at large, their

practical application remains out-of-reach for most programmers. This book

provides the neccessary foundation to make template metaprogramming

practical for everyone.

Auteur

David Abrahams is a founding member and moderator of the Boost C++ library development group. Dave has been an ANSI/ISO C++ committee member since 1996, where he is best known for contributing a theory, specification, and implementation of exception handling for the C++ standard library. His company, Boost Consulting, provides Boost-related support and development services and professional training in the art of software construction.

Aleksey Gurtovoy is a technical lead for MetaCommunications and a contributing member of the Boost C++ community. Aleksey is the original author of the Boost Metaprogramming Library. He has been working with C++ since 1993, and holds a M.S. degree in computer science from Krasnoyarsk Technical State University, Russia.

Texte du rabat

Simply put, a metaprogram is a program which generates or manipulates

program code. The ability to programmatically create software allows

programmers to work at a higher level of abstraction appropriate to the

problem domain, and allows the resulting code to be reconfigured without loss

of efficiency. Ever since generic programming was introduced to C++,

programmers have discovered myriad template tricks for manipulating

programs as they are compiled, effectively eliminating the barrier between

program and metaprogram. While the excitement generated by these

capabilities among C++ experts has reached the community at large, their

practical application remains out-of-reach for most programmers. This book

provides the neccessary foundation to make template metaprogramming

practical for everyone.

Résumé
"C++ Template Metaprogramming" is a book on template metaprogramming with readable prose and practical examples.

Contenu

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

Making the Most of This Book.

1. Introduction.

Getting Started.

So What's a Metaprogram?

Metaprogramming in the Host Language.

Metaprogramming in C++.

Why Metaprogramming?

When Metaprogramming?

Why a Metaprogramming Library?

2. Traits and Type Manipulation.

Type Associations.

Metafunctions.

Numerical Metafunctions.

Making Choices at Compile Time.

A Brief Tour of the Boost Type Traits Library.

Nullary Metafunctions.

Metafunction Definition.

History.

Details.

Exercises.

3. A Deeper Look at Metafunctions.

Dimensional Analysis.

Higher-Order Metafunctions.

Handling Placeholders.

More Lambda Capabilities.

Lambda Details.

Details.

Exercises.

4. Integral Type Wrappers and Operations.

Boolean Wrappers and Operations.

Integer Wrappers and Operations.

Exercises.

5. Sequences and Iterators.

Concepts.

Sequences and Algorithms.