More C++ Idioms/Enable if

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Intent[edit | edit source]

Sometimes a member function of a class template (possibly one of an overloaded set) only makes sense for certain template parameters. The enable_if idiom uses SFINAE to eliminate unwanted functions before overload resolution.

Also Known As[edit | edit source]

Motivation[edit | edit source]

Solution and Sample Code[edit | edit source]

Known Uses[edit | edit source]

One use of enable_if is in implementing requirements such as that on the (size_type, value_type) constructor of a standard container, which has special behavior if the value_type is an integral type. More primitive solutions exist, but enable_if is elegant in this context.

Related Idioms[edit | edit source]

SFINAE, metafunctions.

References[edit | edit source]