Q216977: FIX: C2233 on User-Defined Type Array Member of Template Class

Article: Q216977
Product(s): Microsoft C Compiler
Version(s): 6.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbCompiler kbCPPonly kbVC600bug kbVC600fix
Last Modified: 08-MAY-2002

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition, version 6.0 
- Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition, version 6.0 
- Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Learning Edition, version 6.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

When you compile a template class that contains a data member that is an array
of a second template class, and the second class contains a data member that is
an array, and the size of both arrays is dependent on a template parameter, you
may receive the following error:

  error C2233: '<Unknown>' : arrays of objects containing zero-size
  arrays are illegal

RESOLUTION
==========

Use a pointer instead of an array. Allocate the space for the array in the
constructor, and deallocate the space for the array in the destructor.

STATUS
======

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

This bug has been fixed in Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0 Service Pack 5 (SP5).

To download service pack 5, see the Visual Studio Product Updates page on the
following Microsoft Web site at:

  http://support.microsoft.com/support/servicepacks/VS/6.0/default.asp?sd=msdn

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

Steps to Reproduce Behavior
---------------------------

  template <int k>
  class A
  {
      char x[k];
  };

  template <int h, int j>
  class B  
  {
       A<h> y[j];
  };

Workaround
----------

  template <int k>
  class A
  {
      char *x;
      A() {
          x = new char[k];
      }
      ~A() {
          delete[] x;
      }
  };
  template <int h, int j>
  class B  
  {
       A<h> y[j];
  };

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbCompiler kbCPPonly kbVC600bug kbVC600fix 
Technology        : kbVCsearch kbAudDeveloper kbVC600 kbVC32bitSearch
Version           : :6.0
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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

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