By using a tracking reference in the signature of a template function, you ensure that the function can be called with parameters whose type are native, CLR value, or CLR reference.
Example
// tracking_reference_template.cpp
// compile with: /clr
using namespace System;
class Temp {
public:
// template functions
template<typename T>
static int f1(T% tt) { // works for object in any location
Console::WriteLine("T %");
return 0;
}
template<typename T>
static int f2(T& rt) { // won't work for object on the gc heap
Console::WriteLine("T &");
return 1;
}
};
// Class Defintions
ref struct R {
int i;
};
int main() {
R ^hr = gcnew R;
int i = 1;
Temp::f1(i); // ok
Temp::f1(hr->i); // ok
Temp::f2(i); // ok
// error can't track object on gc heap with a native reference
// Temp::f2(hr->i);
}
T % T % T &