Simply put, a metaprogram is a program which generates or manipulates program code. The ability to programmatically create software allows programmers to work at a higher level of abstraction appropriate to the problem domain, and allows the resulting code to be reconfigured without loss of efficiency. Ever since generic programming was introduced to C++, programmers have discovered myriad "template tricks" for manipulating programs *as they are compiled*, effectively eliminating the barrier between program and metaprogram. While the excitement generated by these capabilities among C++ experts has reached the community at large, their practical application remains out-of-reach for most programmers. This book provides the neccessary foundation to make template metaprogramming practical for everyone.
David Abrahams is a founding member and moderator of the Boost C++ library development group. Dave has been an ANSI/ISO C++ committee member since 1996, where he is best known for contributing a theory, specification, and implementation of exception handling for the C++ standard library. His company, Boost Consulting, provides Boost-related support and development services and professional training in the art of software construction.
Aleksey Gurtovoy is a technical lead for MetaCommunications and a contributing member of the Boost C++ community. Aleksey is the original author of the Boost Metaprogramming Library. He has been working with C++ since 1993, and holds a M.S. degree in computer science from Krasnoyarsk Technical State University, Russia.