c++templatestype-traitsinvoke-result

invoke_result to obtain return type of template member function


How can I obtain the result type of a template member function?

The following minimal example illustrates the problem.

#include <type_traits>

template <typename U>
struct A {
};

struct B {
   template <typename F = int>
   A<F> f() { return A<F>{}; }

   using default_return_type = std::invoke_result_t<decltype(f)>;
};

int main()
{
    B::default_return_type x{};

    return 0;
}

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The code does not compile, giving error:

main.cpp:11:63: error: decltype cannot resolve address of overloaded function

11 | using default_return_type = std::invoke_result_t;

What is the correct syntax to obtain the type of B::f with the template parameter F set to default?


Solution

  • You can get the return type like this:

    using default_return_type = decltype(std::declval<B>().f());
    

    Complete example:

    #include <type_traits>
    #include <iostream>
    template <typename U>
    struct A {
    };
    
    struct B {
       template <typename F = int>
       A<F> f() { return A<F>{}; }
    
       using default_return_type = decltype(std::declval<B>().f());
    };
    
    int main()
    {
        B::default_return_type x{};
        std::cout << std::is_same< B::default_return_type, A<int>>::value;
    }
    

    PS: It seems like clang and older gcc versions are not happy with B being an incomplete type and calling f. As a workaround, moving the using out of the class should help.