Forcing the compiler to generate code for all member functions of a template class?

Question

Say I have this program

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

template<typename T>
class A {
public:
    void foo() { cout << "Inside foo" << endl; }
    void bar() { cout << "Inside bar" << endl; }
};

int main() {
  A<int> a;
  a.foo();
  return 0;
}

Both g++ and clang++ only generate code for A<int>::foo(), but not for A<int>::bar(). This is annoying when you want to call this function while debugging. (e.g. vector<T>::at() ).

Is there some flag or other method by which you can force the generation of code for all member functions every time a template is instantiated?

Answer 1

No compiler flags, but the rules of the language govern what is happening here, and you can use them to your advantage.

Since you are implicitly instantiating A<int>, only the functions you use are instantiated:

[C++11: 14.7.1/1]: [..] The implicit instantiation of a class template specialization causes the implicit instantiation of the declarations, but not of the definitions or default arguments, of the class member functions, member classes, scoped member enumerations, static data members and member templates; [..]

If you explicitly instantiate A<int>, instead, then the whole thing gets instantiated.

#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

template<typename T>
class A {
public:
    void foo() { cout << "Inside foo" << endl; }
    void bar() { cout << "Inside bar" << endl; }
};

template class A<int>;   // <----

int main() {
  A<int> a;
  a.foo();
}

Here is some proof: http://coliru.stacked-crooked.com/a/582126aac45d6ea4