How do I avoid implicit conversions on non-constructing functions?

c++, casting, function, implicit-conversion

Solution

8 years later (PRE-C++20, see edit):

The most modern solution, if you don't mind template functions -which you may mind-, is to use a templated function with `std::enable_if` and `std::is_same`.

Namely:

// Where we want to only take int
template <class T, std::enable_if_t<std::is_same_v<T,int>,bool> = true>
void func(T x) {
    
}

EDIT (c++20)

I've recently switched to c++20 and I believe that there is a better way. If your team or you don't use c++20, or are not familiar with the new concepts library, do not use this. This is much nicer and the intended method as outlines in the new c++20 standard, and by the writers of the new feature (read a papers written by Bjarne Stroustrup here.

template <class T>
    requires std::same_as(T,int)
void func(T x) {
    //...
}

Small Edit (different pattern for concepts)

The following is a much better way, because it explains your reason, to have an explicit int. If you are doing this frequently, and would like a good pattern, I would do the following:

template <class T>
concept explicit_int = std::same_as<T,int>;

template <explicit_int T>
void func(T x) {

}

Small edit 2 (the last I promise)

Also a way to accomplish this possibility:

template <class T>
concept explicit_int = std::same_as<T,int>;

void func(explicit_int auto x) {

}

Problem

How do I avoid implicit casting on non-constructing functions? I have a function that takes an integer as a parameter, but that function will also take characters, bools, and longs. I believe it does this by implicitly casting them. How can I avoid this so that the function only accepts parameters of a matching type, and will refuse to compile otherwise? There is a keyword "explicit" but it does not work on non-constructing functions. :\ what do I do? The following program compiles, although I'd like it not to: ``` #include <cstdlib> //the function signature requires an int void function(int i); int main(){ int i{5}; function(i); //<- this is acceptable char c{'a'}; function(c); //<- I would NOT like this to compile return EXIT_SUCCESS; } void function(int i){return;} ``` *please be sure to point out any misuse of terminology and assumptions

Original source