Q101188: Order of Object Initialization Across Translation Units

Article: Q101188
Product(s): Microsoft C Compiler
Version(s): MS-DOS:7.0; :1.0,1.5,2.0,4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbLangCPP kbVC
Last Modified: 26-JUL-2001

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft C/C++ for MS-DOS, version 7.0 
- Microsoft Visual C++, versions 1.0, 1.5 
- Microsoft Visual C++, versions 2.0, 4.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

The order of initialization of global objects is undefined across translation
units. For example, if your application consists of three C++ modules and each
module declares an object of xyz class, there is no guarantee during program
initialization which of these objects will be constructed first.

In addition to not relying on the order of initialization, you should not use one
object's address in another object's initialization when the two objects are
contained in different translation units.

AT&T 2.1 does not define the order of initialization for global objects
across translation units. The order of initialization is
implementation-dependent.

Additional query words: kbinf 7.00 1.00 1.50 2.00 4.00

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbLangCPP kbVC 
Technology        : kbVCsearch kbVC400 kbAudDeveloper kbZNotKeyword8 kbvc150 kbvc100 kbZNotKeyword3 kbCVC700DOS kbVC200
Version           : MS-DOS:7.0; :1.0,1.5,2.0,4.0

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.