can someone explain why the compiler accepts only this code
template<typename L, size_t offset, typename enable_if< (offset<sizeof(L)), int >::type =0>
void a_function(){}
template<typename L, size_t offset, typename enable_if< (offset==sizeof(L)), int >::type =0>
void a_function(){}
but not this:
template<typename L, size_t offset, typename enable_if< (offset<sizeof(L)), int >::type =0>
class a_class{};
template<typename L, size_t offset, typename enable_if< (offset==sizeof(L)), int >::type =0>
class a_class{};
The compiler sees the second class template as a redefinition of the first.
You have to use specialization for classes. Typically, it is done with an extra parameter:
Two class (or class template) declarations with the same name should always declare the same class or class template (or be a specialization, in which case it is still the same template).