| | | |
TOC -- / --.-- / --.--.-- | Index | Search | Syntax | Help

Section 12: Generic Units -- TOC

(1)

A generic unit is a program unit that is either a generic subprogram or a generic package. A generic unit is a template, which can be parameterized, and from which corresponding (nongeneric) subprograms or packages can be obtained. The resulting program units are said to be instances of the original generic unit.

(2)

A generic unit is declared by a generic_declaration. This form of declaration has a generic_formal_part declaring any generic formal parameters. An instance of a generic unit is obtained as the result of a generic_instantiation with appropriate generic actual parameters for the generic formal parameters. An instance of a generic subprogram is a subprogram. An instance of a generic package is a package.

(3)

Generic units are templates. As templates they do not have the properties that are specific to their nongeneric counterparts. For example, a generic subprogram can be instantiated but it cannot be called. In contrast, an instance of a generic subprogram is a (nongeneric) subprogram; hence, this instance can be called but it cannot be used to produce further instances.

Clauses and Subclauses

1. Generic Declarations
2. Generic Bodies
3. Generic Instantiation
4. Formal Objects
5. Formal Types -- TOC
   1. Formal Private and Derived Types
   2. Formal Scalar Types
   3. Formal Array Types
   4. Formal Access Types
6. Formal Subprograms
7. Formal Packages
8. Example of a Generic Package

| | | |
TOC -- / --.-- / --.--.-- | Index | Search | Syntax | Help

-- Email comments, additions, corrections, gripes, kudos, etc. to: