Q241949: BUG: C2059 Error on Out-Of-Class Definition of Member Templates

Article: Q241949
Product(s): Microsoft C Compiler
Version(s): winnt:5.0,6.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbCompiler kbCPPonly kbLangCPP kbVC kbVC500 kbVC500bug kbVC600 kbVC600bug
Last Modified: 03-MAY-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- The C/C++ Compiler (CL.EXE), included with:
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition, version 5.0 
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition, version 5.0 
   - 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 
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SYMPTOMS
========

The following error message appears if you define a member template class or
function outside the class:

  error C2059: syntax error : ''template<''
  error C2065: 'T' : undeclared identifier

CAUSE
=====

The compiler does not support out-of-class definition of member template
functions and classes. Please refer to the C++ Standard, section 14.5.2, for
information on member templates.

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 code example demonstrates the error:

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

  template<class T> class string {
  public:
  	template<class T2> int compare(const T2&);
  	template<class T2> string(const string<T2>& s) {}  // inline definition OK 
  	//  ...
  };
   
  template <class T> template<class T2> int string<T>::compare(const T2& s)
  				// error C2059 and C2065 
  {
  	//  ...		// Out-of-class-definition		
  }

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbCompiler kbCPPonly kbLangCPP kbVC kbVC500 kbVC500bug kbVC600 kbVC600bug 
Technology        : kbVCsearch kbAudDeveloper kbCVCComp
Version           : winnt:5.0,6.0
Issue type        : kbbug

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