Container classes

1. classes that contain collections of other objects
2. implements data structures
3. heterogenous or homogenous
4. reference semantics or value semantics
5. In C++ use templates.

Common problem: code duplication solutions:

1. Have a common base class for templates. All methods that don't reference parameter are promoted to base class.
2. Wrapper Class: Define generic container class using void* or base_elem*, for example: stack void * . Wrapper class is base class of templated container. For example: template class stack_elem stk::private stack void * {}. Methods are inline calls to base methods with a type cast. Much more code reuse. Problems: dangerous casts and reference semantics only.

source psfile jl@crush.caltech.edu index wrapper_class