Class template for numeric types

Question

How do I write a class template that accepts only numeric types (int, double, float, etc.) as template?

Answer 1

You can use the std::is_arithmetic type trait. If you want to only enable instantiation of a class with such a type, use it in conjunction with std::enable_if:

#include <type_traits>  template<     typename T, //real type     typename = typename std::enable_if<std::is_arithmetic<T>::value, T>::type > struct S{};  int main() {    S<int> s; //compiles    S<char*> s; //doesn't compile } 

For a version of enable_if that's easier to use, and a free addition of disable_if, I highly recommend reading this wonderful article on the matter.

In C++, the technique described above has a name called "Substitution Failure Is Not An Error" (most use the acronym SFINAE). You can read more about this C++ technique on wikipedia or cppreference.com.

As of C++20, concepts make this much easier and don't spoil the interface:

#include <concepts>  template<typename T> concept arithmetic = std::integral<T> or std::floating_point<T>;  template<typename T>   requires arithmetic<T> struct S{}; // Shorthand: template<arithmetic T> struct S {}; 

Do note that there are many user types meant to be used arithmetically as well, though, so a more general concept that covers the operations you're looking for instead of the types you're looking for would be preferable in a generic interface.