Any word on "templates" for C# or VB.NET?

[Nerseus]

I've been doing some work with C++ the last few weeks and I'm really liking the idea of templated code. For example, you can write a template for a function named "swap" and define what it does, then use that swap function for ANY class you want. At compile time, the compiler substitutes in the class-specific version of the function/code for each class type, optimizing things for you.

 

Also, if you have a larger function than swap and need it for multiple class types, you don't have to rewrite it (only changing the class types).

 

Any word if any new version of C# (whidbey or it's next version) have that support? I know it's probably not high on their list, but seems like an easy thing for a compiler to do (I can say that since I'm in the market of making compilers :))

 

-nerseus

[divil]

C# and VB.NET will have generics in the next version.

[Nerseus]

Ooo... sounds interesting :)

Any link to a site that has more info (or info on what the next version of .NET might have in general)? :)

 

(Two smilies for the price of none)

 

-Nerseus

[Derek Stone]

http://research.microsoft.com/projects/clrgen/

http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/03/09/NET/