If I do not remove the "const", I receive an error massage: explicit specialization 'const char *.....' WHY?

Question

const T min(const T x, const T y)
{
return ((x < y) ? x : y);
}

template<>
const char* min(const char* s1, const char* s2)
{
return ((std::strcmp(s1, s2) < 0) ? s1 : s2);
}

Answer 1

Because const char* is not the correct return type.

The const in front of the T applies to the whole type, where T is const char*.
const T would then be const char* const. ( a constant pointer that is pointing to a constant char )

Therefore the correct return type is const char* const.

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Just as an FYI:
Function overloading should be preferred over function specialization.
http://www.gotw.ca/publications/mill17.htm

Answer 2

Thanks for answer, now I've got it.