FIX: C2243 on Friend Overload o

• The Microsoft C/C++ Compiler (CL.EXE) included with: - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Edition, versions 4.0, 4.1, 4.2

SYMPTOMS

The following error is generated:

   error C2243: 'abstract declarator' : conversion from 'class Derived *'
   to 'const class Base<Type> &' exists, but is inaccessible

• A template base class that has a friend function that overloads operator << for ostream.
• A derived class that privately inherits its base class and has a friend function that overloads operator << for ostream where the second argument to the operator << is a reference to const type (const Derived &).
• A call to the operator << passing a non-const derived type object.

RESOLUTION

Use one of the following two workarounds to resolve the problem:

• Typecast the derived object to a reference to const type when using the operator <<.

  -or-

• Make the base class public instead of private.

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.

MORE INFORMATION

Sample Code

   /* Compile options needed: None
   */

   #include <iostream.h>

   template<class T>
   class Base;

   template<class T>
   ostream& operator<<(ostream& s, const Base<T> & a)
   {
      return s;
   }

   template<class T>
   class Base
   {
   public:
      friend ostream& operator<<(ostream& s, const Base<T>& a);
   };

   class Derived;

   ostream& operator<<(ostream& s, const Derived& a)
   {
      return s;
   }

   // Replace 'private' by 'public' in the following line
   // to avoid the error (work around # 2)
   class Derived : private Base<char> {
   public:
      friend ostream& operator<<(ostream& s, const Derived& a);
   };

   void main(void)
   {
      Derived objDerived;

      // The C2243 error is generated for the following line.
      // Uncomment the typecast to avoid the error (work around # 1)
      cout << /*(const Derived&)*/ objDerived;
   }

Keywords          : CPPIss CPPLngIss vcbuglist400 vcfixlist500 kbprg
Version           : 4.0 4.1 4.2
Platform          : NT WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix