Editing TypeParameter (section)

In [[computer programming language]]s, <code>'''TypeParameter'''</code> is a generic label used in [[generic programming]]  to reference an unknown [[data type]], [[data structure]], or [[Class (computer programming)|class]]. TypeParameter is most frequently used in [[C++]] [[Template (C++)|templates]] and [[Java (programming language)|Java]] [[Generics in Java|generics]] . TypeParameter is similar to a [[metasyntactic variable]] (e.g., <code>foo</code> and <code>bar</code>), but distinct. It is not the name of a generic [[type variable]], but the name of a generic ''type of'' variable.

The capitalisation varies according to programming language and programmer preference. <code>TypeParameter</code>, <code>Typeparameter</code>, <code>TYPEPARAMETER</code>, <code>typeparameter</code>, and <code>type_parameter</code> are all possible. Alternate labels are also used, especially in complex templates where more than one type parameter is necessary. <code>X</code>, <code>Y</code>, <code>Foo</code>, <code>Bar</code>, <code>Item</code>, <code>Thing</code> are typical alternate labels. Many programming languages are [[case-sensitive]], making a consistent choice of labels important. The [[CamelCase]] <code>TypeParameter</code> is one of the most commonly used.