C++ template specialization without default function

Question

I have the following code that compiles and works well:

template
T GetGlobal(const char *name);

template<>
int GetGlobal(cons         


        

Answer 1

Though it is an old and outdated question, it may worth noting that C++11 had solved this issue using deleted functions:

template
T GetGlobal(const char *name) = delete;

template<>
int GetGlobal(const char *name);

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UPDATE

This will not compile under MacOS llvm 8. It is due to a still hanging 4 years old defect (see this bug report).

The following workaround will fit the issue (using a static_assert construct).

template
T GetGlobal(const char *name) {
    static_assert(sizeof(T) == 0, "Only specializations of GetGlobal can be used");
}

template<>
int GetGlobal(const char *name);

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UPDATE

Visual studio 15.9 has the same bug. Use the previous workaround for it.