Function template with an operator

Question

In C++, can you have a templated operator on a class? Like so:

class MyClass {
public:
    template<class T>
    T operator()() { /* return some T */ };
}

This actually seems to compile just fine, but the confusion comes in how one would use it:

MyClass c;
int i = c<int>(); // This doesn't work
int i = (int)c(); // Neither does this*

The fact that it compiles at all suggests to me that it's doable, I'm just at a loss for how to use it! Any suggestions, or is this method of use a non-starter?

Answer 1

You need to specify T.

int i = c.operator()<int>();

Unfortunately, you can't use the function call syntax directly in this case.

Edit: Oh, and you're missing public: at the beginning of the class definition.