The generic keyword in C is a powerful feature that allows developers to write functions and data structures that can work with any data type. This is particularly useful in scenarios where code reuse and flexibility are important. By utilizing this keyword, developers can write more generic and adaptable code without duplicating logic for each specific type.

The generic keyword is often used in conjunction with macros to create flexible, reusable code for a variety of data types.

One of the primary ways to implement generics in C is through the use of the _Generic keyword. This allows for type selection at compile time, making it possible to define a function or expression that can operate on different types without the need for manual type checking.

  • Type safety is maintained.
  • It simplifies code by eliminating the need for multiple overloads.
  • It allows for cleaner, more maintainable code.

Here is an example of how the _Generic keyword works in C:


#define print_value(x) _Generic((x), \
int: printf("Integer: %d\n", x), \
float: printf("Float: %f\n", x), \
default: printf("Other type\n"))

This macro demonstrates how you can use the _Generic keyword to select the appropriate type handler based on the type of the input value.

Data Type Handler
int Prints integer
float Prints float
Other Prints "Other type"