Compiler Error C2252

cannot explicitly instantiate template in current scope

The compiler detected a problem with an explicit instantiation of a template. For example, you cannot explicitly instantiate a template in a function.

The following sample generates C2252:

// C2252.cpp
class A {
public:
   template <class T>
   int getit(int i , T * it ) {
      return i;
   }
   template int A::getit<double>(int i, double * it);   // C2252
   // try the following line instead
   // template <> int A::getit<double>(int i, double * it);

};

int main() {
   // cannot explicitly instantiate in function
   template int A::getit<long>(int i, long * it);   // C2252
}