BUG: Local Static Variables Not Reinitialized After an Exception

ID: Q246550

The information in this article applies to:

The C/C++ Compiler (CL.EXE), included with:
- Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Editions, version 6.0

SYMPTOMS

After the constructor for a local static variable throws an exception, the constructor is not called the next time there is a call to the function in which the variable is declared.

CAUSE

The Visual C++ Compiler has not correctly implemented the behavior dictated by the ANSI C++ specification. The ANSI specification, section 6.7 states in part:

"The zero-initialization [construction] of all local objects with static storage duration is performed before any other initialization takes place. ... such an object is initialized the first time control passes through its declaration; such an object is considered initialized upon the completion of its initialization [upon completion of its constructor] . If the initializations exits by throwing an exception, the initialization is not complete, so it will be tried again [constructor called again] the next time control enters the declaration. ..."

RESOLUTION

There are several potential ways to workaround the behavior, including removing the static keyword from the variable declaration, having the class constructor catch and handle the exception, not using exceptions, using a separate initialization function to emulate proper behavior, and so forth. The actual approach you choose will be greatly dependent upon your individual project. See the "More Information" section for an example of the separate initialization approach.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

The following code sample illustrates the problem. Define the "workaround to see the separate initialization function approach.


// compile options:  /GX 
#include <iostream>

class MyClass
{
public:
     MyClass() { throw(int()); }
     MyClass(const MyClass& cClass) {}
     MyClass& operator=(const MyClass &co) {return *this;}
     virtual ~MyClass() {}
};

#ifdef WORKAROUND
class MyClassWrapper : public MyClass
{
public:
// Here, m_InitFlag is set to false in the initialize list
// (Before MyClass() is called), and then set to true
// in the body of the constructor (after MyClass() is called)
     MyClassWrapper() : m_InitFlag(false) {m_InitFlag = true;}
     void init()
     {
          if(!m_InitFlag)
          {
               MyClass tmp;
               *((MyClass *)this) = tmp;
               m_InitFlag = true;
          }
     }
private:
	bool m_InitFlag;
};
#endif //WORKAROUND

#ifdef WORKAROUND
typedef MyClassWrapper StaticClass;
#else
typedef MyClass StaticClass;
#endif //WORKAROUND

void MyFunction()
{ 
	static StaticClass MyObject;
#ifdef WORKAROUND
	MyObject.init();
#endif //WORKAROUND
}

int main()
{
     using std::cout;

     for(int i = 0; i < 2; i++)
     {
          try
          {
               MyFunction();
               cout << "No Exceptions Thrown / All Exceptions Handled\n";
          }
          catch(int)
          {
               cout << "An int Exception Was Thrown and Not Handled\n";
          }
     }

     return 0;
}
// end program

Output:


An int Exception Was Thrown and Not Handled
No Exceptions Thrown / All Exceptions Handled

Output if WORKAROUND defined:


An int Exception Was Thrown and Not Handled
An int Exception Was Thrown and Not Handled

Additional query words: Exception Constructor ANSI

Keywords : kbCPPonly kbVC600bug kbDSupport
Version : winnt:6.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbbug