C++ template static method

[Bingo90]

I found a useful method on the internet but I want to use it as a static method. The problem is it contains a template type and I don't know how to make it work.
I tried it like this:

Tools.h

class Tools
{
public:
	template <typename T>
	static T **allocateDynamicArray( int nRows, int nCols);
};

Tools.cpp

#include "Tools.h"

template <typename T> 
T **Tools::allocateDynamicArray( int nRows, int nCols)
{
      T **dynamicArray;

      dynamicArray = new T*[nRows];
      for( int i = 0 ; i < nRows ; i++ )
      dynamicArray[i] = new T [nCols];

      return dynamicArray;
}

Building the code without calling the method works, but when trying to call it there's an error.

This doesn't work:
Tools::allocateDynamicArray<int>(1,1);

Am I making any mistakes? Or is it impossible to do this? I'm using Visual Studio 2012.

[MatthewRock]

Hello, Bingo90! Welcome to our community.
It's usually a good idea to include error message as well - it may help us find error in your code. Simply stating "it gives me an error" isn't much helpful.

Especially, that for me - this code works.
I think I know what your problem is.
When you make class with template methods, all template methods have to be defined in header file. You lose a bit of encapsulation, but if you move it, you'll have your method working.

And as a bit of advice, if your class doesn't do anything more - it may as well be replaced with namespace.

Cheers!

[Bingo90]

The cpp and h files I posted are the same as the files in my project.

[rmxhaha]

It compiles fine in Code::Blocks
I can't think of anything wrong ?

I can't think of anything more adives than MatthewRock had said

--

[MiiNiPaa]

All templated code should be in header files. You are trying to compile template in separate cpp file, but compiler does not know which versions of function it should generate.

[Bingo90]

Here's the error message:

Error 1 error LNK2019: unresolved external symbol "public: static int * * __cdecl Tools::allocateDynamicArray<int>(int,int)" (??$allocateDynamicArray@H@Tools@@SAPAPAHHH@Z) referenced in function _main C:\Users\Username\documents\visual studio 2012\Projects\Project\Project\main.obj

[TwilightSpectre]

As @MiiNiPaa suggested, move your code from Tools.cpp to Tools.h, otherwise the compiler can't generate the relevant functions from your template.

[Bingo90]

Ah yes that worked, thank you all :D