[c++] Storing C++ template function definitions in a .CPP file

I have some template code that I would prefer to have stored in a CPP file instead of inline in the header. I know this can be done as long as you know which template types will be used. For example:

.h file

class foo
{
public:
    template <typename T>
    void do(const T& t);
};

.cpp file

template <typename T>
void foo::do(const T& t)
{
    // Do something with t
}

template void foo::do<int>(const int&);
template void foo::do<std::string>(const std::string&);

Note the last two lines - the foo::do template function is only used with ints and std::strings, so those definitions mean the app will link.

My question is - is this a nasty hack or will this work with other compilers/linkers? I am only using this code with VS2008 at the moment but will be wanting to port to other environments.

There is nothing wrong with the example you have given. But i must say i believe it's not efficient to store function definitions in a cpp file. I only understand the need to separate the function's declaration and definition.

When used together with explicit class instantiation, the Boost Concept Check Library (BCCL) can help you generate template function code in cpp files.

Yes, that's the standard way to do specializiation explicit instantiation. As you stated, you cannot instantiate this template with other types.

Edit: corrected based on comment.

Let's take one example, let's say for some reason you want to have a template class:

//test_template.h:
#pragma once
#include <cstdio>

template <class T>
class DemoT
{
public:
    void test()
    {
        printf("ok\n");
    }
};

template <>
void DemoT<int>::test()
{
    printf("int test (int)\n");
}


template <>
void DemoT<bool>::test()
{
    printf("int test (bool)\n");
}

If you compile this code with Visual Studio - it works out of box. gcc will produce linker error (if same header file is used from multiple .cpp files):

error : multiple definition of `DemoT<int>::test()'; your.o: .../test_template.h:16: first defined here

It's possible to move implementation to .cpp file, but then you need to declare class like this -

//test_template.h:
#pragma once
#include <cstdio>

template <class T>
class DemoT
{
public:
    void test()
    {
        printf("ok\n");
    }
};

template <>
void DemoT<int>::test();

template <>
void DemoT<bool>::test();

// Instantiate parametrized template classes, implementation resides on .cpp side.
template class DemoT<bool>;
template class DemoT<int>;

And then .cpp will look like this:

//test_template.cpp:
#include "test_template.h"

template <>
void DemoT<int>::test()
{
    printf("int test (int)\n");
}


template <>
void DemoT<bool>::test()
{
    printf("int test (bool)\n");
}

Without two last lines in header file - gcc will work fine, but Visual studio will produce an error:

 error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol "public: void __cdecl DemoT<int>::test(void)" (?test@?$DemoT@H@@QEAAXXZ) referenced in function

template class syntax is optional in case if you want to expose function via .dll export, but this is applicable only for windows platform - so test_template.h could look like this:

//test_template.h:
#pragma once
#include <cstdio>

template <class T>
class DemoT
{
public:
    void test()
    {
        printf("ok\n");
    }
};

#ifdef _WIN32
    #define DLL_EXPORT __declspec(dllexport) 
#else
    #define DLL_EXPORT
#endif

template <>
void DLL_EXPORT DemoT<int>::test();

template <>
void DLL_EXPORT DemoT<bool>::test();

with .cpp file from previous example.

This however gives more headache to linker, so it's recommended to use previous example if you don't export .dll function.

This should work fine everywhere templates are supported. Explicit template instantiation is part of the C++ standard.

This is definitely not a nasty hack, but be aware of the fact that you will have to do it (the explicit template specialization) for every class/type you want to use with the given template. In case of MANY types requesting template instantiation there can be A LOT of lines in your .cpp file. To remedy this problem you can have a TemplateClassInst.cpp in every project you use so that you have greater control what types will be instantiated. Obviously this solution will not be perfect (aka silver bullet) as you might end up breaking the ODR :).

That is a standard way to define template functions. I think there are three methods I read for defining templates. Or probably 4. Each with pros and cons.

1. Define in class definition. I don't like this at all because I think class definitions are strictly for reference and should be easy to read. However it is much less tricky to define templates in class than outside. And not all template declarations are on the same level of complexity. This method also makes the template a true template.

2. Define the template in the same header, but outside of the class. This is my preferred way most of the times. It keeps your class definition tidy, the template remains a true template. It however requires full template naming which can be tricky. Also, your code is available to all. But if you need your code to be inline this is the only way. You can also accomplish this by creating a .INL file at the end of your class definitions.

3. Include the header.h and implementation.CPP into your main.CPP. I think that's how its done. You won't have to prepare any pre instantiations, it will behave like a true template. The problem I have with it is that it is not natural. We don't normally include and expect to include source files. I guess since you included the source file, the template functions can be inlined.

4. This last method, which was the posted way, is defining the templates in a source file, just like number 3; but instead of including the source file, we pre instantiate the templates to ones we will need. I have no problem with this method and it comes in handy sometimes. We have one big code, it cannot benefit from being inlined so just put it in a CPP file. And if we know common instantiations and we can predefine them. This saves us from writing basically the same thing 5, 10 times. This method has the benefit of keeping our code proprietary. But I don't recommend putting tiny, regularly used functions in CPP files. As this will reduce the performance of your library.

Note, I am not aware of the consequences of a bloated obj file.

Your example is correct but not very portable. There is also a slightly cleaner syntax that can be used (as pointed out by @namespace-sid, among others).

However, suppose the templated class is part of some library that is to be shared...

Should other versions of the templated class be compiled?

Is the library maintainer supposed to anticipate all possible templated uses of the class?

An Alternate Approach

Add a third file that is the template implementation/instantiation file in your sources.

lib/foo.hpp in/from library

#pragma once

template <typename T>
class foo
{
public:
    void bar(const T&);
};

lib/foo.cpp compiling this file directly just wastes compilation time

// Include guard here, just in case
#pragma once

#include "foo.hpp"

template <typename T>
void foo::bar(const T& arg)
{
    // Do something with `arg`
}

foo.MyType.cpp using the library, explicit template instantiation of foo<MyType>

// Consider adding "anti-guard" to make sure it's not included in other translation units
#if __INCLUDE_LEVEL__ != 0
  #error "Don't include this file"
#endif

// Yes, we include the .cpp file
#include <lib/foo.cpp>
#include "MyType.hpp"

template class foo<MyType>;

Of course, you can have multiple implementations in the third file. Or you might want multiple implementation files, one for each type (or set of types) you'd like to use, for instance.

This setup should reduce compile times, especially for heavily used complicated templated code, because you're not recompiling the same header file in each translation unit. It also enables better detection of which code needs to be recompiled, by compilers and build scripts, reducing incremental build burden.

Usage Examples

foo.declarations.hpp needs to know about foo<MyType>'s public interface but not .cpp sources

#pragma once

#include <lib/foo.hpp>
#include "MyType.hpp"

// Declare `temp`. Doesn't need to include `foo.cpp`
extern foo<MyType> temp;

examples.cpp can reference local declaration but also doesn't recompile foo<MyType>

#include "foo.declarations.hpp"

MyType instance;

// Define `temp`. Doesn't need to include `foo.cpp`
foo<MyType> temp;

void example_1() {
    // Use `temp`
    temp.bar(instance);
}

void example_2() {
    // Function local instance
    foo<MyType> temp2;

    // Use templated library function
    temp2.bar(instance);
}

error.cpp example that would work with pure header templates but doesn't here

#include <lib/foo.hpp>

// Causes compilation errors at link time since we never had the explicit instantiation:
// template class foo<int>;
// GCC linker gives an error: "undefined reference to `foo<int>::bar()'"

void linkerError()
{
    foo<int> nonExplicitlyInstantiatedTemplate;
}

Note that most compilers/linters/code helpers won't detect this as an error, since there is no error according to C++ standard. But when you go to link this translation unit into a complete executable, the linker won't find a defined version of foo<int>.

For others on this page wondering what the correct syntax is (as did I) for explicit template specialisation (or at least in VS2008), its the following...

In your .h file...

template<typename T>
class foo
{
public:
    void bar(const T &t);
};

And in your .cpp file

template <class T>
void foo<T>::bar(const T &t)
{ }

// Explicit template instantiation
template class foo<int>;

This code is well-formed. You only have to pay attention that the definition of the template is visible at the point of instantiation. To quote the standard, § 14.7.2.4:

The definition of a non-exported function template, a non-exported member function template, or a non-exported member function or static data member of a class template shall be present in every translation unit in which it is explicitly instantiated.

None of above worked for me, so here is how y solved it, my class have only 1 method templated..

.h

class Model
{
    template <class T>
    void build(T* b, uint32_t number);
};

.cpp

#include "Model.h"
template <class T>
void Model::build(T* b, uint32_t number)
{
    //implementation
}

void TemporaryFunction()
{
    Model m;
    m.build<B1>(new B1(),1);
    m.build<B2>(new B2(), 1);
    m.build<B3>(new B3(), 1);
}

this avoid linker errors, and no need to call TemporaryFunction at all

Time for an update! Create an inline (.inl, or probably any other) file and simply copy all your definitions in it. Be sure to add the template above each function (template <typename T, ...>). Now instead of including the header file in the inline file you do the opposite. Include the inline file after the declaration of your class (#include "file.inl").

I don't really know why no one has mentioned this. I see no immediate drawbacks.

There is, in the latest standard, a keyword (export) that would help alleviate this issue, but it isn't implemented in any compiler that I'm aware of, other than Comeau.

See the FAQ-lite about this.