Could C++ template function overload on return parameter?

Question

With same template declaration, is it possible to differ two functions with same name, same param list, but different return type?

template <class T>
int f()...

template <class T>
short f()...

Or, need some special code to achieve this?

Thanks.

Do you have a situation that cannot be resolved by casting the result? — tadman, Mar 03 '20 at 17:21
If everything is the same besides the return type, how would you know which function to call? — NathanOliver, Mar 03 '20 at 17:23
It’s possible using the [overloaded return type pattern](https://stackoverflow.com/a/9569120/1968). — Konrad Rudolph, Mar 03 '20 at 17:24

score 5 · Accepted Answer · edited Mar 03 '20 at 19:19

You can indeed have function templates with same name, same parameter types, and same return type (but you cannot for regular functions).

template <class T>
int f() {/*..*/}

template <class T>
short f() {/*..*/}

But then their usage is not really easy/fine:

auto i = static_cast<int(*)()>(&f<float>)(); // Call int f<float>
auto s = static_cast<short(*)()>(&f<float>)(); // Call short f<float>

1 Answers1