Template specialization of a single method from a templated class

Question

Hello.

Always considering that the following header, containing my templated class, is included in at least two .CPP files, this code compiles correctly:

template <class T>
class TClass 
{
public:
 void doSomething(std::vector<T> * v);
};

template <class T>
void TClass<T>::doSomething(std::vector<T> * v) {
 // Do somtehing with a vector of a generic T
}

template <>
inline void TClass<int>::doSomething(std::vector<int> * v) {
 // Do somtehing with a vector of int's
}

But note the inline in the specialization method. It is required for the code not to have linker error (in VS2008 is LNK2005) due to the method being defined more then once. I understand this because AFAIK a full template specialization is the same as a simple method definition.

So, how do I remove that inline? The code should not be duplicated in every use of it. I've searched Google, read some questions here in SO and tried many of the suggested solutions but none was successfully built (at least not in VS 2008).

Thanks!

Answer 1

As with simple functions you can use declaration and implementation. Put in your header declaration:

template <>
void TClass<int>::doSomething(std::vector<int> * v);

and put implementation into one of your cpp-files:

template <>
void TClass<int>::doSomething(std::vector<int> * v) {
 // Do somtehing with a vector of int's
}

Don't forget to remove inline (I forgot and thought this solution will not work :) ). Checked on VC++2005

Answer 2

You need to move specialization definition to CPP file. Specialization of member function of template class is allowed even if function is not declared as template.

Answer 3

There is no reason to remove the keyword inline.
It does not change the meaning of the code in anyway.