// template1.cpp		By: Aiman Hanna -  ©1993-2006 Aiman Hanna

// This program provides an introduction to template functions. In fact, the 
// program does not really illustrate template functions, rather it explains why 
// template functions could be needed. 
// 
// Notice the similarity between the three overloaded functions below. 

#include <iostream.h>


// free function that finds and returns the minimum value of two integers.

int min( int a, int b )
{
 return a < b ? a : b;		// same as:  if ( a < b ) return a; else return b;
}






// free function that finds and returns the minimum value of two "double" 
// variables.
// Notice that this is an overloaded function. 

double min( double a, double b )
{
 return a < b ? a : b;		// same as if ( a < b ) return a; else return b;
}





// free function that finds and returns the smaller of two characters.
// Notice that this is an overloaded function. 

char min( char a, char b )
{
 return a < b ? a : b;		// same as if ( a < b ) return a; else return b;
}




int main( )
{
 int x = 10, y = 5;
 double w = 13.2, z = 21.9;
 char ch1 = 'f', ch2 = 'k';

 cout << " The minimum value of the two integers x and y is: " << min( x, y ) 
 							             << endl << endl;
 cout << " The minimum value of the two doubles w and z is: " << min( w, z ) 
 							             << endl << endl;
 cout << " The minimum value of the two characters ch1 and ch2 is: " 
							<< min( ch1, ch2) << endl << endl;
 
return 0;
}




// The output of the program 
/*
 The minimum value of the two integers x and y is: 5

 The minimum value of the two doubles w and z is: 13.2

 The minimum value of the two characters ch1 and ch2 is: f

*/