1. explicit instantiation of template function
In a.h, an interface of template function is declared, and the implementation of the template function is defined in a.cc.
In a.cc, we should add code to specify certain type of instatiations of the function so that the instantiation can be complied in final object file. For example,
in a.h, template <class T> int f(T & t);
in a.cpp, implemtation of f, and some instantiation.
template int f(int & t);
template int f(double & t);
2. explicit instantiations of template class
3. specification of static member in class
For example, in a.h,
template <typename T>
class Obj {
public:
static Image<T>* getImage(int w, int h);
private：
Obj();
static Mutex d_mutex;
};
In a.cpp,
//explicit instantiation
template class Obj::getImage<int>;
template class Obj::getImage<unsigned int>;
//specification of static member
template <> Mutex Obj<int>::d_mutex;
template <> Mutex Obj<unsigned int>::d_mutex;
template<typename T>
Image<T>* Obj::getImage(int w, int h)
{
static Image<T>* image;
...
return image;
}