Q166513: FIX: Typedef Type Causes C2275: Illegal Use of Type

Article: Q166513
Product(s): Microsoft C Compiler
Version(s): winnt:4.2,5.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbtool kbVC420bug kbVC500bug kbVC600fixkbbuglist
Last Modified: 04-MAY-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- The C/C++ Compiler (CL.EXE), used with:
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition, version 4.2 
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition, version 4.2 
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition, version 5.0 
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition, version 5.0 
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SYMPTOMS
========

Using a typedef cast in the member initialization of a class may cause the
following errors:

  error C2275: 'test::run' : illegal use of this type as an expression
  error C2146: syntax error : missing ')' before identifier 'arg'
  error C2612: trailing '.*|->*' illegal in base/member initializer list
  error C2059: syntax error : ')'
  error C2143: syntax error : missing ';' before '{'
  fatal error C1004: unexpected end of file found

RESOLUTION
==========

Use the actual type rather then the typedef. For example, in the following
sample use test::run rather than test_run. Or, use the functional notation
test_run (arg) for type conversion instead of the cast notation. Another option
is to initialize the member in the body of function.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products that are
listed at the beginning of this article.This problem was corrected in Microsoft
Visual C++ version 6.0.

MORE INFORMATION
================

  /* Compiler Options Needed : none */ 

      class test {
      public:
          enum run{ one, two, three };
      };

      typedef test::run test_run;

      class test2 {
          test2(int);
          ~test2();
      public:
          test_run testvalue;
      };

      test2::test2(int arg):testvalue( (test_run) arg) {}     //Causes error

      // test2::test2(int arg):testvalue( (test::run) arg) {} //WORKAROUND 1
      // test2::test2(int arg):testvalue( test_run (arg)) {}  //WORKAROUND 2

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbtool kbVC420bug kbVC500bug kbVC600fix kbbuglist
Technology        : kbVCsearch kbAudDeveloper kbCVCComp
Version           : winnt:4.2,5.0
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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