In computer programming languages, TypeParameter
is a frequently used generic label used in templates to reference an unknown data type, data structure, or class. Templates are most frequently used in Java and C++. TypeParameter is similar to a metasyntactic variable (e.g., foo
and bar
), but distinct. It is not the name of a generic variable, but the name of a generic type of variable.
The capitalisation varies according to programming language and programmer preference. TypeParameter
, Typeparameter
, TYPEPARAMETER
, typeparameter
, and type_parameter
are all possible. Alternate labels are also used, especially in complex templates where more than one type parameter is necessary. X
, Y
, Foo
, Bar
, Item
, Thing
are typical alternate labels. Many programming languages are case-sensitive, making a consistent choice of labels important. The CamelCase TypeParameter
is one of the most commonly used.