FIX: IDE Appears to Hang If Browse Key (F11 or F12) Is Pressed

• Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Edition, versions 4.0, 4.1, 4.2

SYMPTOMS

The Developer Studio appears to hang when the browse key (F11 or F12 depending on the Compatibility settings) is pressed at or near an asterisk(*) in a source file. This will occur when there is a large .bsc file open, such as Mfc.bsc. Developer Studio is not actually hung, it is trying to build a very large list of symbols for the user to choose from.

CAUSE

Because of the way Developer Studio determines the selected symbol, it will try to build a list of all symbols in the browser database file. For example, if you type PreTransla* and press the browse key while Mfc.bsc is open, the Developer Studio attempts to browse only on the asterisk and not on PreTransla*.

RESOLUTION

To use the wildcard in a browse, bring up the browse dialog box and enter the query here instead of from the source file. Or use the mouse to select the full query text (including the wildcard) before pressing the browse key.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This bug was corrected in Visual C++ version 5.0.

Keywords          : vcbuglist400 vcfixlist500 VwbIss kbui
Version           : 4.0 4.1 4.2
Platform          : NT WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix