Power of template in C++

Question

I want to know whether it is possible to do generic programming in C++ without using templates. Is it possible to write all libraries available in C++ which are written using templates without using templates. Is there any alternative available in C++ for templates?

Answer 1

Yes, you can do it but it would be very time-consuming and I'd say even useless. Why not taking advantage of templates? ;-)

Answer 2

sure you can code every permutation. but then you have a lot of code that is not needed. so yes you can but why would you?

Answer 3

It would be very hard because unlike some other languages like java, there is no common ancestor class (like Object) that you can use.