Given:

class Point {
        int x;
        int y;
public:
        void dump() {
                cout << "x: " << x << "y: " << y << endl;
        }
        int getX() { return x; }
}

I want to change it to use doubles, I can do it but it requires changes to the two data members and the return type of getX.

Deriving a new class would work, but you'd have to recode everything, so there's no polymorphisim and there's lots of duplicated code (with only types changed).

Templates look like the solution:

template <class T>
class Point {
        T x;
        T y;
public:
        void dump() {
                cout << "x: " << x << "y: " << y << endl;
        }
        T getX() { return x; }
}

Now I can specialize for whatever type I'd like without having to change code.

But, if I want to add another variable (3d points) now I have to code another class. dump() needs to change also.

Also, if I want to be able to have a general tuple of any 3 types, I'd have to add another template parameter. It's not possible to have a variable arg template without additional code.

Questions
1. Am I missing something in C++ that would allow a clean solution?
2. Is there a better way to solve the problem, preferably without additional runtime computation?

/msg Excedrin on efnet or mail answers to sic at tch.org