c++. compile error. am trying to add friend template function with enum template parameter

Question

Please help with the next code:

typedef enum {a1, a2, a3} E;

template<E e>
int foo() {
    return static_cast<int>(e);
}

class A {
    A() {};

    friend int foo<E e>();
};

The compiler says: error C2146: syntax erorr: missing "," before identifier "e"

I would be glad if someone could explain my mistake. Thanks.

Answer 1

If you want class A to befriend the function template foo(), you need to use:

template <E> friend int foo();

You can also befriend a particular instantiation of the function template foo():

friend int foo<a1>();