BUG: C2352 Error for Reference to Nested Class Member

• Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Edition, versions 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 5.0

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to build the sample code below, you will get an error message similar to the following:

   error C2352: 'A::AA::m' : illegal call of nonstatic member function

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because you are attempting to access a member of a nested class that has been used as a base class. It is valid to do this. The compiler should not be reporting an error, and, in this case, the error that is being reported is misleading.

RESOLUTION

To work around the problem, you can use a typedef to refer to the nested class that is being used as a base class. This is illustrated in the sample code below.

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

Sample Code

/* Compile options needed: none
*/

   class A
   {
   public:

       class AA
       {
       public:
           void m();
       };
   };

   class B : public A::AA
   {
   public:
       void m() { A::AA::m(); }
   };

   void main()
   {
       B b;
   }

   class A
   {
   public:

       class AA
       {
       public:
           void m();
       };
   };

   typedef A::AA NestedBase;

   class B : public NestedBase
   {
   public:
       void m() { NestedBase::m(); }
   };

   void main()
   {
       B b;
   }