Please help me understand this syntax (implementing static assert in C++)

Question

This syntax was used as a part of an answer to this question:

template 
struct static_assert;

template <>
struct static_assert         


        

Answer 1

Well, I guess it is about template specialization. STATIC_ASSERT(true) will compile successfully, because there is a definition (not just a declaration) of "static_assert< true >".

STATIC_ASSERT(false) will be rejected by the compiler, because there is only a declaration for "static_assert< false >" and no definition.

Update: for visual studio, STATIC_ASSERT(true) is ok, but STATIC_ASSERT(false) triggers the error: "error C2514: 'static_assert<__formal>' : class has no constructors [ with __formal = false ]"