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I avoid header-only libs like the plague and don't really understand why people prefer them. I mean, I get it, I just don't agree with the tradeoffs.

header-only slows compilation down just so you can avoid adding in a single line in your build chain of choice. It's just not a trade off worth making imo.

So to me, not being header only is a pro, not a con.

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Have you tried "explicit template instantiation"? If the library templates have good separation, you can just add a cpp file so the compiler doesn't need to deduce the type each time.

yep, that's exactly what I do when I really end up having to use a header-only lib that uses templates.

It's not that I'll outright refuse to use a header-only lib, only that I very very strongly prefer not using them.

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