What is the difference between function template and template function?

Question

What is the difference between function template and template function?

Answer 1

The term "function template" refers to a kind of template. The term "template function" is sometimes used to mean the same thing, and sometimes to mean a function instantiated from a function template. This ambiguity is best avoided by using "function template" for the former and something like "function template instance" or "instance of a function template" for the latter. Note that a function template is not a function. The same distinction applies to "class template" versus "template class".

From this FAQ (archive)

Answer 2

Function Template is the correct terminology (a template to instantiate functions from).

Template Function is a colloquial synonym.

So, there's no difference whatsoever.

Answer 3

The function generated by the compiler from function template(generic function) for specified data type is known as template function. Example: The below code is called function template as it is template for a function.

template<T>
T doubleVal(T a){
  return a+a;
 }
int main(){
  cout<<doubleVal<int>(5)<<endl;
}

When we compile this code compiler will write a function for int by taking reference from template function. That function is known as template function.

Answer 4

Comeau Computing (maker of C++ Comeau Compiler) has a FAQ on their site with the answer to that question:

What is the difference between a template function and a function template?

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Ovanes