C/C++ function using float or double or int

Question

I have seperate functions for reading from a text file (depending on whether its an int, float or double). I would like just one function with an additional argument (without using a subsequent IF statement). Does anyone have ideas?

Below is the form of my current functions.

float * read_column_f (char * file, int size_of_col){
...
col = (float*) malloc (height_row * sizeof(float));
...  return(col);}


double *    read_column_d (char * file, int size_of_col){
...
col = (double*) malloc (height_row * sizeof(double));
...  return(col);}


int *   read_column_i (char * file, int size_of_col){
...
col = (int*) malloc (height_row * sizeof(int));
...  return(col);}

EDIT: I want to implement this in C++, the C-style syntax used is due to memory preference.

Answer 1

ANSI C doesn't support function overloading, which is what you are trying to accomplish. C++ does, however. See the StackOverflow link here: Default values on arguments in C functions and function overloading in C