Q241569: BUG: C2258 and C2252 on in Place Initialization of Static Const

Article: Q241569
Product(s): Microsoft C Compiler
Version(s): winnt:5.0,6.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbCompiler kbCPPonly kbVC kbVC500 kbVC500bug kbVC600 kbVC600bug kbDSupport
Last Modified: 07-MAY-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

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

You may get the following error message if you try to perform in-place
initialization of static const integral member data.

  error C2258: illegal pure syntax, must be '= 0'
  error C2252: 'x' : pure specifier can only be specified for functions

Please refer to the sample in the "More Information Section" for details.

CAUSE
=====

The compiler does not support in-place initialization of static const integral
member data as specified in the C++ standard (section 9.2) quoted in the
following:

4 - A member-declarator can contain a constant-initializer only if it declares a
static member of integral or enumeration type.

RESOLUTION
==========

Use one of the following Resolutions:

- Use enum instead of static const int:

  enum{x = 3};

- Instantiate the member outside the class:

  const int A::x=3;

STATUS
======

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

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

Steps to Reproduce Behavior:

The following example demonstrates the error.

  //test.cpp
  // compiler option needed: none

  class A 
  { 
  	const static int x = 3; 
  };

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbCompiler kbCPPonly kbVC kbVC500 kbVC500bug kbVC600 kbVC600bug kbDSupport 
Technology        : kbVCsearch kbAudDeveloper kbVC500 kbVC600 kbVC32bitSearch kbVC500Search
Version           : winnt:5.0,6.0
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbpending

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