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.