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Showing posts from January, 2025

Concepts vs. Type Traits: Modern C++ Design Strategies

Modern C++ emphasizes type safety, performance, and expressive code . With C++20, Concepts were introduced to enhance template programming by offering better readability, error messages, and constraints . However, before Concepts, developers relied on Type Traits (introduced in C++11) combined with SFINAE (Substitution Failure Is Not An Error) to impose constraints on templates. This article explores Concepts vs. Type Traits , comparing their benefits, use cases, and performance implications. What Are Type Traits? Type Traits are a set of compile-time utilities provided in the <type_traits> header. They enable type introspection and allow developers to impose restrictions on template parameters using SFINAE . Example: Enforcing Integral Types with std::enable_if #include <iostream> #include <type_traits> // Function only enabled for integral types template <typename T> typename std::enable_if<std::is_integral<T>...

Writing Cache-Friendly C++ Code: Tips and Tricks

In performance-critical applications, the CPU cache can be your best friend—or your worst enemy. While algorithmic complexity often takes center stage, memory access patterns are equally crucial for ensuring high performance. Poor memory locality can lead to cache misses, stalling the CPU and slowing your application. This article dives into practical techniques for writing cache-friendly C++ code, enabling you to harness the full power of modern hardware. Why Cache Optimization Matters The CPU cache acts as a bridge between the processor and slower main memory, storing frequently accessed data to reduce latency. A high cache hit rate ensures your program runs efficiently, while cache misses force the CPU to fetch data from RAM, which can be up to 100x slower. By writing cache-friendly code, you can reduce latency, improve throughput, and optimize your application for real-world performance. How CPU Caches Work Underst...