What are the best practices for function overloading in C++?

What are the best practices for function overloading in C++?

Function overloading in C++ allows you to define multiple functions with the same name but different parameters. Best practices include ensuring clarity, avoiding ambiguity, and maintaining consistency in function signatures.

Can you give me an example of function overloading?

Sure! For instance, you can overload a function named add to handle both integers and doubles:

int add(int a, int b) {
    return a + b;
}

double add(double a, double b) {
    return a + b;
}

What should I avoid when overloading functions?

Avoid overloading functions that differ only by return type, as this can lead to ambiguity. Also, keep the number of overloads manageable to prevent confusion.

How does function overloading affect performance?

Function overloading itself doesn't significantly impact performance, but excessive overloads can lead to longer compile times and potential runtime overhead due to ambiguity resolution.