"virtual" method with templates

Question

I have the following base class :

template <template<class Type> class T2>
class FundamentalClass {
    typename T2<double> *_compose1;
    typename T2<int> *_compose2;

protected:
    FundamentalClass(); // Insert constructors here.

    template<class Strategy>
    T2<typename Strategy::Type> *Construct(void);

public:
    template <class Strategy>
    T2<typename Strategy::Type> *GetComposedObject(void);

};

with

template< template<class Type> class T2>
template<>
T2<double> *FundamentalClass<T2<double> >::GetComposedObject<DoubleStrategy>(void) {
    if( NULL == _compose1) {
        _compose1 = Construct<DoubleStrategy>(void);
    }
    return _compose1;
}

And other specializations for each composed object.

But, i need construct to be implemented by the derived class. Without templates, Construct whould be virtual. How can i achieve this goal ?

score 4 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 10:24

4

You can do this with compile-time polymorphism, via the Curiously Recurring Template Pattern (CRTP):

template <template<class Type> class T2, class Derived>
class FundamentalClass {
    ...

    template<class Strategy>
    T2<typename Strategy::Type> *Construct() {
        return static_cast<Derived *>(this)->DoConstruct<Strategy>();
    }

And in Derived, write:

template <template<class Type> class T2>
class Derived: public FundamentalClass<T2, Derived<T2> >
{
public:
    template<class Strategy>
    T2<typename Strategy::Type> *DoConstruct() {
        ...
    }

edited May 23 '17 at 10:24

Community

1
1

answered Jul 26 '12 at 07:57

ecatmur

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Yes, I know i could go this way, but i don't like it much, since the base class has to know about the derived class... – Enjolras Jul 26 '12 at 08:00
1

@Enjolras the base class has to know about the derived class, either at compile time or run time; that means CRTP of virtual methods. – ecatmur Jul 26 '12 at 08:03
@Enjolras The base class only knows about the derived class's interface, not its implementation. – TemplateRex Jul 26 '12 at 08:22

"virtual" method with templates

1 Answers1