BUG: Access to Nested Base Class Member Functions Blocked

• Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Editions, version 5.0

SYMPTOMS

When a class derived from a nested class calls a base class member function explicitly, the compiler generates error C2352: (relative to the sample code below):

   main.cpp(13) : error C2352: 'A::B::f' : illegal call of non-static
   member function

RESOLUTION

There are 2 workarounds:

1. Call the member function without the scope resolution operator. This is the simplest workaround, but it will not work if a member function of the same name is defined in the derived class. Please see workaround #1 after the sample code below.

2. Declare a pointer to member function and call the base class function via the pointer. Please see workaround #2 after 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 bug and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

Sample Code

   /* Compile Options: None */
   class A {
   public:
     class B {
     public:
          void f();
     };
   };

   class C : public A::B {
   public:
     void g() { A::B::f(); } // <== C2352 at this line
   };

Workaround #1

Call f() without the scope resolution operator:

   class C : public A::B {
   public:
     void g() { f(); }
   };

Workaround #2

Call A::B::f() via a pointer to member function: