Hi everybody,


I have just found out that I cannot use default template arguments in
conjunction with free functions:


template <class T, class U = int>
void foo ()
{
   // impl uses T and U;

}


This is illegal, default template arguments can only be used for
classes.

Now what shall this restriction be good for?

I can imagine it to be restricted so the implicit template argument
deduction is somewhat easier, but this case only applies to functions
that have the default-template type as part of their arguments. Here,
explicitly mentioning the template arguments may be appropriate.

Also, a quick look to Tc++PL, special edition, page 340 showes an
example of default template arguments in free (namespace-scope)
functions. Seems I was not the only one believing this to be valid!


Would be nice to include default-template arguments in free function
to next C++x0.

best regards,

Thomas

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