c++ traits, more or less

sortoftrait.cpp

#include <string>
#include <sstream>

/// sort-of trait system using template specialization
///
/// It is better than inheritance.
/// Avoid the object to inherit from a lot of places.
/// Instead, you can create a trait, and the user "implement" that.
///
/// read https://accu.org/index.php/journals/442 for more insights


template <typename T>
class Trait {
private:
    T impl_;

public:
    Trait(T impl) : impl_(impl) {}

    [[noreturn]]
    std::string getName() { static_assert("this should not be called, use the derived ones"); }

};

template <>
class Trait<int> {
private:
    int impl_;

public:
    Trait(int impl) : impl_(impl) {}

    std::string getName() { return "integer"; }
};

template <>
class Trait<char> {
private:
    char impl_;

public:
    Trait(char impl) : impl_(impl) {}

    std::string getName() { 
        std::stringstream ss;
        ss << "char (";
        ss << impl_;
        ss << ")";

        return ss.str();
    }
};


int main() {
    Trait<int> ti{1};
    Trait<char> tc{'A'};
    Trait<bool> tb{true};

    printf("%s\n", ti.getName().c_str());
    printf("%s\n", tc.getName().c_str());
    printf("%s\n", tb.getName().c_str());
}