same Template function for int and std::string

Question

Is there a way to use same template function for performing operation on int and std::string, eg:

template<typename T>
T add(typename a, typename b)
{
   return (a+b);       // incase for int
   return a.append(b); // incase for std::string
}

Any help is appreciated.

Why do you think a+b won't work for strings if a and b both are strings ? — Jarvis
– Jarvis, Commented Feb 14, 2017 at 4:01
What you are trying to do is a different operation for int and string. For int you are trying to add two integers to produce a 3rd integer, but for the string you are trying to append one string to the other. i.e. not producing a third string, but mutating one of the input arguments. As others have stated, if you are happy to produce a third string you can just do a + b for both. — Paul Rooney
– Paul Rooney, Commented Feb 14, 2017 at 4:10

Ben Crowhurst · Accepted Answer · 2017-02-14 04:03:42Z

1

concatenates two strings or a string and a char

template<typemane T>
T add(typename a, typename b)
{
   return a + b;
}

answered Feb 14, 2017 at 4:03

Ben Crowhurst

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