FIX: C2371: Cast to Struct Ptr in Default Arg of Class Member

ID: Q148504

The information in this article applies to:

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

SYMPTOMS

When encountering a cast to a structure pointer in the default argument of a class member function, the Visual C++ compiler generates the following error:

error C2371: 'MyClass' : redefinition; different basic types

This error does not occur if the function declaration is not a member of a class.

RESOLUTION

If you are casting from an integral literal, remove the cast. For example, change this:


   MyFunc (struct MyStruct *p = (struct MyStruct*)0);  //C2371 error

to this:


   MyFunc (struct MyStruct *p = 0);                    //no error

If you are casting from a different structure type, remove the struct keyword from the cast. For example, change this:


   yFunc (struct MyStruct *p = (struct MyStruct*)x);  //C2371 error

to this:


   MyFunc (struct MyStruct *p = (MyStruct*)x);         //no error

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.

Additional query words: kbVC400bug

Keywords : kbCompiler kbCPPonly kbVC kbVC500fix
Version : :4.0,4.1,4.2
Platform : NT WINDOWS
Issue type : kbbug