Template specialization for member function templates

Yes, it is possible to create specializations of member function templates, just like you can for regular function templates. This allows you to provide a different implementation of the function for specific template arguments.

Here's an example:

1#include <iostream>
2
3class MyClass {
4public:
5  template <typename T>
6  void func(T x) {
7    std::cout << "Generic implementation: "
8      << x << std::endl;
9  }
10};
11
12template <>
13void MyClass::func<int>(int x) {
14  std::cout << "Specialization for int: "
15    << x << std::endl;
16}
17
18int main() {
19  MyClass obj;
20  
21  // calls the int specialization
22  obj.func(42);
23  
24  // calls the generic implementation
25  obj.func(3.14);
26}

1Specialization for int: 42
2Generic implementation: 3.14

In this code, we have a generic implementation of MyClass::func that works for any type T. But we also provide a specialization of MyClass::func specifically for int.

To specialize the member function template, we use the template <> syntax, followed by the full signature of the specialization, including the class name and template arguments (void MyClass::func<int>(int x)).

When we call obj.func(42), it invokes the int specialization, because 42 is an int. But when we call obj.func(3.14), it uses the generic implementation, because there's no specialization for double.

Specializations let you optimize the function for certain types, handle special cases, or provide totally different implementations based on the template arguments. They're a key part of the power and flexibility of C++ templates.