What do "<, >" mean as syntax in this context?-- std::auto_ptr< sql::Statement > stmt(con->createStatement());

std::auto_ptr< sql::Statement > stmt(con->createStatement());

I looked through my textbook but there is no mention of anything of this so开发者_JS百科rt. Can someone tell me what it is called so I can look it up? The only use of "<" I know is as a binary less-then operator.

Its a template. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_%28programming%29

Since you asked a very basic question, I would like to point you to the c++ faq, where this and lots of other (simple and complex questions are already answered) : c++ faq

The answer to your specific question among template questions