Template<> without any content

Hello everyone,


I sometimes saw code with template<> and followed by a class definition, like,

Code:

---

template<> class {

        // class definition
}

---

I am wondering the practical usage of this trick. Why declar a template but leaving the content to nothing? If there is no type parameters, I do not think there is a need to put template<> statement.


thanks in advance,
George

I don't think this is legal. Are you sure it wasn't of the form

Code:

---

template <> class<a_type> {
};

---

?
That would be a full specialization.


Edit: Definitely not legal. The production for a template declaration is

Code:

---

          template-declaration:
                  exportopt template < template-parameter-list > declaration
          template-parameter-list:
                  template-parameter
                  template-parameter-list , template-parameter

---

This production requires at least one actual parameter.