DOCUMENT:Q143081 03-AUG-2001 [visualc] TITLE :PRB: Ambiguous Msg If Function Template Return Type Omitted PRODUCT :Microsoft C Compiler PROD/VER::4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbCompiler kbCPPonly kbVC ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft C/C++ Compiler (CL.EXE), included with: - *EDITOR Please do not choose this product*Microsoft Visual C++ 32-bit Edition* use 241, 265, 225, version 4.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== Given a function template, if the return type is omitted, the error that results is a syntax error on the semicolon preceding the closing brace of the function. minmax.cpp(4) : error C2059: syntax error : ';' RESOLUTION ========== Specify a return type for the function template. STATUS ====== This behavior is by design. MORE INFORMATION ================ In C++, it is an error for a function to be declared without a return type. This is in compliance with the proposed ANSI C++ specification (ref. ARM, section 7.1.1). Sample Code ----------- /* Compile options needed: /c */ // This Min is in error (no return type is specified) template <class X> Min (X &t1, X &t2) { if (t1<t2) return t1; return t2; } //the error message appears for this line //This Min is correct template <class X> X& Min (X &t1, X &t2) { if (t1<t2) return t1; return t2; } Additional query words: ====================================================================== Keywords : kbCompiler kbCPPonly kbVC Technology : kbVCsearch kbAudDeveloper kbCVCComp Version : :4.0 Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.