Overloading function with char and uint8_t types

Question

To implement a basic interface for an LCD I need to write the function print for all basic types. I need to write

void print(char c);

and also

void print(uint8_t c);

The first function tells: "I want to write the character c", and the second tells "I want to write the number c". These 2 functions have different meanings, so I need both of them.

The problem is that uint8_t is a typedef of char. If I call

print(20u);

the compiler gives an error because it doesn't know which version of print to choose.

My question is: How to solve this problem?

My solutions:

1. Define 2 differents functions:

void print(char c);
void print_number(uint8_t x);
void print(uint16_t x);
...

The problem with this solution is that you have to remember that when you want to print an uint8_t you have to call print_number. This complicate all the generic code that I need to write. I don't think is 'the solution'.

2. Write my proper class uint8_t and instead of using the standard uint8_t use my own version. This solution has different problems:

   • I don't think is a good idea to have an alternative to the standard type uint8_t.
   • If I write my own version of uint8_t, for instance, Uint8_t for consistency I have to write all the other types also (Uint16_t, Uint32_t, ...) and I don't like that too.

3. ??? Any ideas?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Ok so this might not be the solution you're looking for, but if you type cast while passing the parameter, it works.
print((char) 20u) will call the print(char c)
and
print((uint8_t) 20u) will call the print(uint8_t c)