Question

Template code is not compiled until the template function is used. But where does it save the compiled code, is it saved in the object file from which used the template function in the first place?

For example,
main.cpp is calling a template function from the file test.h, the compiler generates an object file main.o,
Is the template function inside the main.o file? because template code is not inlined, is it?

Answer 1

It’s totally compiler implementation dependant. Most compilers will generate code around, inline or in cpp-like files and then compile with that. Sometimes, with optimization setup, some compilers will even reuse the same code instead of recreate it for each cpp.

So you have to see your compiler’s doc for more details.