Template Function Pointers + Inherited Return Types

[infogoogle]

Hello,

i'm having problems with the type of a template function:

This code:

class A {};
class B : A {};

template<class T B* fnull() { return 0; };

typedef A *(*afun)() ;
afun nn = fnull<int>;

produces the following error

pointer-to-template-instantiation.cpp:8: error: no matches converting
function `null' to type `class A*(*)()'
pointer-to-template-instantiation.cpp:4: error: candidates are:
template<classTB* null()

When I change the return type to "A*" , or when I remove the
template<...>, this error disappears, so it seems to be the combination
of the two somehow. Any suggestions?

--
Johannes Leitner
Software Engineering Group
http://www.inf.uni-konstanz.de/~leitner

University of Constance Phone: (+49 7531)
88-2188
78457 Konstanz Fax: (+49 7531)
88-3577
Germany Office: Building E, Room
222

[Victor Bazarov]

in********@logopolis.de wrote:

i'm having problems with the type of a template function:

This code:

class A {};
class B : A {};

template<class T B* fnull() { return 0; };

typedef A *(*afun)() ;
afun nn = fnull<int>;

produces the following error

pointer-to-template-instantiation.cpp:8: error: no matches converting
function `null' to type `class A*(*)()'
pointer-to-template-instantiation.cpp:4: error: candidates are:
template<classTB* null()

There seems to be a discrepancy between your code and your error
message. What is the name of your function?

When I change the return type to "A*" , or when I remove the
template<...>, this error disappears, so it seems to be the
combination of the two somehow. Any suggestions?

Are you attempting to utilise "covariant" return types with non-virtual
non-member functions? Generally speaking, when the template needs to
be instantiated, all templates are looked at, and the compiler tries to
deduce the template argument[s]. In your case you give the compiler
the type argument explicitly, but the function signature does not match
the pointer type to which the function is supposed to be converted: the
return value type is different. The fact that B and A are related
notwithstanding. So, the compiler cannot instantiate the template and
no function is found.

As to why it manages to convert a plain (non-template) function, I am
not sure, probably the return value type is not checked in that case.

V
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[Kai-Uwe Bux]

in********@logopolis.de wrote:

Hello,

i'm having problems with the type of a template function:

This code:

class A {};
class B : A {};

template<class T B* fnull() { return 0; };

typedef A *(*afun)() ;
afun nn = fnull<int>;

produces the following error

pointer-to-template-instantiation.cpp:8: error: no matches converting
function `null' to type `class A*(*)()'
pointer-to-template-instantiation.cpp:4: error: candidates are:
template<classTB* null()

When I change the return type to "A*" ,

the error disappears: now the function types match.

or when I remove the template<...>, this error disappears,

no it does not:

class A {};
class B : A {};

B* fnull() { return 0; };

typedef A*(*afun)() ;

int main ( void ) {
afun nn = fnull;
}

error: invalid conversion from 'B* (*)()' to 'A* (*)()'

so it seems to be the combination
of the two somehow. Any suggestions?

For function types to be compatible, the signatures including return types
have to agree. Make them match.

Best

Kai-Uwe Bux

[infogoogle]

Victor Bazarov wrote:

In your case you give the compiler
the type argument explicitly, but the function signature does not match
the pointer type to which the function is supposed to be converted: the
return value type is different. The fact that B and A are related
notwithstanding. So, the compiler cannot instantiate the template and
no function is found.

Thanks! I misinterpreted the error message, I thought the template was
instantiated and _then_ types didnt match. I didn't know that templates
where instantiated according to the type that is required from context.
When I add explicite type info, it works:

afun nn = (afun) (B*(*)()) fnull<int>;

Many Thanks!

--
Johannes Leitner
Software Engineering Group
http://www.inf.uni-konstanz.de/~leitner

University of Constance Phone: (+49 7531)
88-2188
78457 Konstanz Fax: (+49 7531)
88-3577
Germany Office: Building E, Room
222

[Victor Bazarov]

in********@logopolis.de wrote:

Victor Bazarov wrote:

>In your case you give the compiler
the type argument explicitly, but the function signature does not
match the pointer type to which the function is supposed to be
converted: the return value type is different. The fact that B and
A are related notwithstanding. So, the compiler cannot instantiate
the template and no function is found.

Thanks! I misinterpreted the error message, I thought the template
was instantiated and _then_ types didnt match. I didn't know that
templates where instantiated according to the type that is required
from context. When I add explicite type info, it works:

afun nn = (afun) (B*(*)()) fnull<int>;

"Works"? You stepped on the value that the compiler gives with your
C-style cast. It's very dangerous.

V
--
Please remove capital 'A's when replying by e-mail
I do not respond to top-posted replies, please don't ask