Duplicate c++ template instantiations

Question

Is it possible for the compiler to duplicate instantiations of a same template across several translation units?

For instance, if you have a.cpp which use a st

Answer 1

I think that the compiler uses the same mechanism as with member functions of ordinary classes. It can make them inline and I presume that it leaves information around that the linker uses to sort it out for the final binary.

The only difference is that the compiler 'writes' the definitions - that is the 'instantiation' of a template - but it manages to make exactly the same instantiation whilst compiling either of a.cpp or b.cpp