P10 — Templight, a Template Metaprogram Debugger

Abstract

C++ Template metaprogramming (TMP) is an emerging new generative programming style enabling for implementing compile-time algorithms. Despite all of its already proven benefits in a number of successful applications, TMP is yet to be accepted in industrial projects. One reason is the lack of professional software tools supporting the development of template metaprograms. A strong analogue between runtime programs and compile-time metaprograms presents the possibility for creating development tools similar to those already used when writing runtime programs. Our poster introduces Templight, a debugging framework that reveals the steps executed by the compiler during the compilation of C++ programs with templates. Templight's features include following the instantiation chain, setting breakpoints, and inspecting metaprogram information. This framework aims to take a step forward to help template metaprogramming become more accepted in the software industry.

See http://gsd.web.elte.hu/templight