BUG: Can't Use Simple Type in an Explicit Call of a Destructor

• The Microsoft C/C++ Compiler (CL.EXE) included with: - Microsoft C/C++ version 7.0 - Microsoft Visual C++ for Windows, versions 1.0, 1.5, 1.51, 1.52 - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Edition, versions 1.0, 2.0, 2.1, 4.0,

       4.1, 4.2, 5.0
  

SYMPTOMS

The notation for an explicit call of a destructor may be used for any simple type name. Using the notation for a type that does not have a destructor has no effect. However, for the products mentioned above, the use of a simple type name causes the following compiler errors:

   t.cpp(6): error C2611: 'int' : illegal following '~'
   (expected identifier)
   t.cpp(6): error C2062: type 'int' unexpected

RESOLUTION

The Annotated C++ Reference Manual (Jan '94), section 12.4 contains the following example:

   int* p;
   / ...
   p->int::~int();

Until this language feature is implemented, removing the code is the only resolution.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

Using an explicit call of a destructor for a simple type would have no effect, so removing it will not affect the compiled code. However this may not be easy to do when this code is part of a macro expansion or templated class that should be able to accept both built-in and user-defined types.

REFERENCES

For more information, see The Annotated C++ Reference Manual (Jan '94), section 12.4

Sample Code

   /* No special compile options needed. */
   void main(void)
   {
      int*    p;
      p->int::~int();     // Generates C2611 error
   }