explicitly specializing a templete function

[coletek]

A C++ developer wants to explicitly specialize the template function below for the char * type:

template <class T> void fn(T a){...}

Which of the following methods can the developer use to carry out this specialization?

A. void fn<char*>(T a){...}
B. void fn<char*>(char* a){...}
C. template <> void fn<char*>(char* a){...}
D. template <class T> void fn(char* a){...}
E. template <class T> void fn<char*>(T a){...}

Ok, I'm a little confused by what the question is asking. I believe its what to use char * for the template function given. In which case B is CORRECT and the rest are incorrect.

Can someone please confirm my thoughts? or point out what the question is really asking. Thx.

[GNiewerth]

Most simple way is to let the compiler decide
If you have a book to read up template specialisation the correct solution will jump into your face.
What syntactical constraints does a templated function have to fulfill? Which of these functions meet the requirements?
And no, it´s not B.

[coletek]

I see, I didn't realise there was such a thing as template specialisation. Now that I've read it the answer is C.

[PredicateNormative]

You are correct, but what is your reasoning?

[coletek]

Well that is the way its defined, according to http://www.codersource.net/cpp_class...alization.html

[PredicateNormative]

Understanding the meaning of the syntax, and hence the syntactic constraints (which will reveal why C is correct) would help you more than merely adopting the 'because this web page says so' approach. I guess what I was really asking is, technically, why are A, B, D and E wrong, and why C is correct.