template to let compiler generate zero

How could I create a template to let the compiler generate a zero for all types?

My guess was the following but I cant get it to compile

Code:

template<typename T>
struct Zero
{
  static T Value;
};

template<>
struct Zero<float>
{
  static float Value;
};

It would be handy for algorithms like accumulate which often deduce the template parameter from the starting zero in the argument list.

Code:

template<typename T>
T Func(T *Chances, size_t Size)
{
  T Total = std::accumulate(Chances, Chances + Size, 0);

  // do other stuff
}

The '0' in accumulate makes the compiler generate an accumulate<int>, if it was 0.0 it would be double.

So what Id like is to be able to type:

Code:

template<typename T>
T Func(T *Chances, size_t Size)
{
  T Total = std::accumulate(Chances, Chances + Size, Zero<T>::Value);

  // do other stuff
}

so I can call Func with any type and the compiler chooses from the arguments from Func itself.

Have you tried:

Code:

T Total = std::accumulate(Chances, Chances + Size, T());

well no
does

Code:

double x = double()

create an x with 0.0 then?

it seems to work with VS2005 but im not sure if its standard?

This is the way to obtain the default value for a type. For example, this is how a std::vector is filled with all zero's when you create a vector<int> with a size parameter.

didnt know that. thanks!

no need for overcomplicated template stuff then