Explicit Instances

In the explicit instances method, instances are generated only for templates that are explicitly instantiated. Implicit instantiations are not satisfied. Instances are placed within the current compilation unit. As a consequence, templates are reinstantiated during each recompilation; they are not saved to the template repository.

Template instances receive global linkage. These instances are visible and usable outside the current compilation unit. Multiple explicit instantiations within a program result in multiple symbol definition errors during linking. The explicit instances method is therefore suitable only when you know that instances are not repeated, such as when you construct libraries with explicit instantiation.

Specify explicit instances with the -instances=explicit option.

You can use explicit instance linkage only with the definitions-included template organization. The compiler does not search for definitions.