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

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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 
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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:

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Keywords          : kbCompiler kbCPPonly kbVC 
Technology        : kbVCsearch kbAudDeveloper kbCVCComp
Version           : :4.0
Issue type        : kbprb

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