Generate C++ code where templates have been expanded

Question

I was wondering if there is a way to use a C++ compiler to just produce C++ code where all templates have been expanded to the instantiations that are required by the progra

Answer 1

Templates are part of the language, not some pre-processor pass - they are processed by the compiler, just like other code.

There is no way to do this in Visual Studio 2012 (Property -> Configuration Properties -> C/C++ -> Preprocessor -> Preprocess to a File - won't give you expanded templates).

The g++ has a bunch of debug options. I would try -fdump-class-hierarchy (not tested).

Answer 2

One way would be to compile your program in debug and then dump the symbols. All the compiled templates must have their symbol defined.

g++ -g foo.cpp -o foo.o

Ofcourse you would missed inlined functions, but this can be suppressed with

g++ -g -fno-inline-functions foo.cpp -o foo.o

To get the symbols use:

objdump -t --demangle a.out

Answer 3

I think "Templator" might help: Demo at CppCon2015, Slides