How to Create a Function Template in C++?

In C++, templates enable us to write generic programs that handle any data type. We can create a template class, function, and variable. A template function is a function that can work with any data type. In this article, we will learn how to create a function template in C++.

Create a Function Template in C++

To create a template function in C++, we use the template keyword followed by the typename keyword (or class keyword) and a placeholder for the type.

Syntax of Function Template

template<typename T>
returnType functionName(T parameter1, T parameter2, ...) {
    // Body of the function
}

where:

• template: This keyword can be used to declare the template
• <typename T>: It can be used to declare the template parameter T.
• returnType: This can be used to specify the return type.
• T parameter1, T parameter: These are function parameters of type T.

C++ Program to Create a Function Template

// C++ Program to illustrate how to Create a Template
// Function
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
template <typename T> T max_value(T a, T b)
{
    return (a > b) ? a : b;
}

// Driver Code
int main()
{
    // Example usage of the max template function with
    // different data types
    cout << "Max of 5 and 10: " << max_value(5, 10) << endl;
    cout << "Max of 3.5 and 7.2: " << max_value(3.5, 7.2)
         << endl;

    return 0;
}

Max of 5 and 10: 10
Max of 3.5 and 7.2: 7.2