Q167306: FIX: Initializer for Empty Struct Causes C2059 or C1001

Article: Q167306
Product(s): Microsoft C Compiler
Version(s): 4.2,5.0,6.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbtool kbVC400bug kbVC500bug kbVC600bug kbNoUpdatekbbuglist
Last Modified: 11-FEB-2002

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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, versions 4.2, 5.0, 6.0 
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition, versions 4.2, 5.0, 6.0 
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Learning Edition, version 6.0 
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SYMPTOMS
========

Specifying an empty initializer for an empty structure may cause the following
error:

  Text1.cpp(5) : error C2059: syntax error : '}'

Specifying a value in place of the empty initializer generates the following
error:

  fatal error C1001: INTERNAL COMPILER ERROR
  (compiler file 'E:\utc\src\\P2\p2symtab.c', line 2387) Please choose the
  Technical Support command on the Visual C++ Help menu, or open the Technical
  Support help file for more information

RESOLUTION
==========

Do not specify an initializer for the structure. Initialize them from a function
instead.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in the Microsoft products listed at the
beginning of this article.

This problem was corrected in Microsoft Visual C++ .NET.

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

  /* Compile Options needed: None */ 

   struct S {};
   struct A {
  S s;
  int i;
   } a = { {/*0*/},  3 }; // Uncomment the 0 to generate the C1001 error


Additional query words:

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Keywords          : kbtool kbVC400bug kbVC500bug kbVC600bug kbNoUpdate kbbuglist
Technology        : kbVCsearch kbAudDeveloper kbCVCComp
Version           : :4.2,5.0,6.0
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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