link error if template function is defined in non-header file

[Chandra Shekhar Kumar]

coz, compiler can't see the definition of the function f.
so u shud include the definition of f in the header file, this is the
practice for all the template functions

 

[Suzanne]

Hi++,

I get a link error when I try to call a template function that is
declared in a header file and defined in a non-header file. I do *not*
get this link error if I define the template function directly in the
header file, or if the change the function to non-template.

For example...
*** Why am I getting a link error for template function f() in the code
below?

Thanks!
Suzanne

-----------------------------------
// File: Main.cpp

#include "Templates.h"

int main(int argc, char** argv) {
f<int>(5); // <--link error here
}
-----------------------------------
// File: Templates.h

#ifndef TEMPLATES_H
#define TEMPLATES_H

#ifndef _STD_USING
#define _STD_USING // Must be #define'd in order to include iostream.h.
#endif // _STD_USING

#include <iostream>

template<class T>
void f(T n);

#endif // TEMPLATES_H
-----------------------------------
// File: Templates.cpp

#include "Templates.h"

template<class T>
void f(T n) {
std::cout << "I got an \"n\"!\n";
}

 

[Patrick Kowalzick]

Hi Suzanne,

Template functions are only created if you "use" them. Nothing is happening
if you do not create an instance of a special type. Anyway, how should this
be possible?
This is exactly the case when your compiler creates the object file of your
cpp. So you have an object file with nothing inside.

Patrick

 

[Victor Bazarov]

I get a link error when I try to call a template function that is
declared in a header file and defined in a non-header file. I do *not*
get this link error if I define the template function directly in the
header file, or if the change the function to non-template.

For example...
*** Why am I getting a link error for template function f() in the code
below?

Because the compiler doesn't get a chance to create the correct,
required, instantiation of the template if it doesn't see the body
of the function template when compiling the code that uses it.

Victor

 

[Michiel Salters]

Hi++,

I get a link error when I try to call a template function that is
declared in a header file and defined in a non-header file. I do *not*
get this link error if I define the template function directly in the
header file, or if the change the function to non-template.

Theoretically, because you didn't include the keyword 'export' in the
declaration. That tells the compiler to defer template instantiation
to the linker.

In practice, most linkers can't do this yet and you need the definition
inlined in your header.

HTH,

 

[Corey Murtagh]

coz, compiler can't see the definition of the function f.
so u shud include the definition of f in the header file, this is the
practice for all the template functions

I'm sorry if I seem like a real ass for saying this, but these
contractions are really getting up my nose for some reason. Is it
really that hard to type the word 'you' that you absolutely must reduce
it to 'u'? Same question for 'should' and 'shud'. Is your shift key
broken?

I don't know if this bugs anyone else. I've always thought of
programmers as being careful people who pay plenty of attention to case
and so on.

Ah hell, maybe you *did* learn English from an IRC channel. *shrug*

 

[Gavin Deane]

I'm sorry if I seem like a real ass for saying this, but these
contractions are really getting up my nose for some reason. Is it
really that hard to type the word 'you' that you absolutely must reduce
it to 'u'? Same question for 'should' and 'shud'. Is your shift key
broken?

I don't know if this bugs anyone else.

I'm in.