Q140605: PRB: C2059 When Declaring Friend Template Functions in a Class

Article: Q140605
Product(s): Microsoft C Compiler
Version(s): winnt:
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbCompiler kbprb
Last Modified: 03-AUG-2001

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

- The C/C++ Compiler (CL.EXE), included with:
   - *EDITOR Please do not choose this product*Microsoft Visual C++ 32-bit Edition* use 241, 265, 225, version 4.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

Attempting to declare a friend template function in a class definition may
result in the following errors:

  error C2059: syntax error: 'template'

  error C2238: unexpected token(s) preceding ';'

CAUSE
=====

This is a relatively new language feature that is currently not supported by the
Visual C++ 4.0 compiler. For example, the following code will generate the
errors noted above.

Sample Code
-----------

  /* Compile options needed: none
  */ 
  class A;
  template <class T> void f(T, A *a)  { a->x; }

  class A
  {
  private:
     int x;
     template <class T> friend void f(T, A*);
  };

  int main(void)
  {
     A a;
     f(5, &a);
     f(1.5, &a);
     return 0;
  }

STATUS
======

This behavior is by design.

Additional query words: 4.00

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbCompiler kbprb 
Technology        : kbVCsearch kbAudDeveloper kbCVCComp
Version           : winnt:
Issue type        : kbprb

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

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.