I would like to hold a shared_ptr of a template class. However, I don't want to make the class B as a template class too. In my understanding, shared_ptr with any type will have the same memory layout. So I am wondering any workaround in this scenario?
template<T>
class A {
...
};
class B {
...
std::shared_ptr<A<T>> ptr;
}
When the type doesn't matter at all, void can be used.
template <typename>
class C {};
std::shared_ptr<void> p = std::make_shared<C<int>>();
Adding a monomorphic base class allows restricting the type that can be stored.
class AnyC {};
template <typename>
class C : public AnyC {};
std::shared_ptr<AnyC> p = std::make_shared<C<int>>();
If that base class has virtual methods they can be called through the pointer.
class AnyC {
virtual void f();
};
template <typename>
class C : public AnyC {
void f() override;
};
std::shared_ptr<AnyC> p = std::make_shared<C<int>>();
p->f();