Friend template functions (in non-template classes), C++

Question

If I have a non-template (i.e. "normal") class and wish to have a template friend function, how do I write it without causing a compiler error? Here is an example to illustrate what I am trying to do:

template <class T>
void bar(T* ptr);

class MyClass  // note that this isn't a template class
{
private:
    void foo();

    template <class T>
    friend void bar(T*);  // ERROR: compiler gives me all kinds of grief
};

template <class T>
void bar(T* ptr)
{
    if (ptr)
    {
        MyClass obj;

        obj.foo();
    }
}

I'm using Visual Studio 2005, and the specific error I'm given is error C2063, stating that "bar" isn't a function. What needs to be done differently here?

Answer 1

This is more of a workaround than a fix, but have you attempted to list the specializations as friends?

Answer 2

Are you sure what you've posted gives the error? The following (using Visual Studio 2005) works fine for me:

#include <iostream>
template <class T>
void bar(T* ptr);

class MyClass  // note that this isn't a template class
{
private:
    void foo();

    template <class T>
    friend void bar(T*);  // ERROR: compiler gives me all kinds of grief
};

void MyClass::foo()
{
    std::cout << "fooed!" << std::endl;
}

template <class T>
void bar(T* ptr)
{
    if (ptr)
    {
        MyClass obj;

        obj.foo();
    }
}


int _tmain(int argc, _TCHAR* argv[])
{

    int someObj = 1;
    bar(&someObj);

    return 0;
}