C++ Templates compilation

Question

I am failing to answer questions related to templates. Basically how templates are compiled by the compiler. I googled but did not find answers. Can somebody help me

Answer 1

Read a book, like C++ Templates - The Complete Guide by David Vandevoorde and Nicolai M. Josuttis. Beside that it explains how to use them it also does give some insight on how they are implemented.

Answer 2

Templates themselves are not compiled, particular instantiations of templates are. Templates can be instantiated by simply being used or by being explicitly instantiated

E.g. given a function template:

template<class T> void f() {}

This is just a template for a function, which you can use:

f<int>(); // compiler will instantiate a concrete f<int>()

... leading to that particular instantiation being compiled. Alternatively you can explicitly instantiate it:

template void f<int>();

The original template however is never compiled, it is just used to create concrete instances.