📚 D Template Meta-programming-D Language Meta-Programming

Example

Creating a generic container that can hold any type.

Scenario

A developer needs to implement a data structure, like a vector, that is capable of storing elements of any type. Using D's templates, they can define a generic vector that automatically adjusts its behavior based on the type of elements it contains, providing type-safe access and manipulation without code duplication.

Example

Evaluating mathematical expressions at compile time.

Scenario

In a scenario where performance is critical, a developer can use D templates to evaluate constant expressions at compile time, reducing the runtime overhead. This is especially useful in embedded systems or performance-critical applications where every bit of efficiency matters.

Example

Implementing compile-time polymorphic functions.

Scenario

To avoid the overhead of dynamic polymorphism, a developer can use templates to achieve static polymorphism. This allows for function overloading based on types known at compile time, enabling the compiler to select the most optimized version of a function without runtime type checks.

Example

Customizing behavior based on type characteristics.

Scenario

When building a serialization library, it might be necessary to handle types differently based on their characteristics (e.g., whether a type is a class, struct, or primitive). D's TMP capabilities allow for introspection and conditional compilation based on these traits, enabling a single, generic serialization function to correctly handle a wide range of types.