FIX: Inlined Templated Member Functions Cannot Be Specialized (138446)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Editions 2.0
  • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Editions 2.1
  • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Editions 2.2
  • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Editions 4.0
  • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Editions 4.1
  • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition 4.2
  • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition 4.2

This article was previously published under Q138446

SYMPTOMS

When specializing a member function that is defined inside the class template, the specialized member function never gets called although there is no compiler error or linker error reported.

RESOLUTION

Do not define the member function in the class template. See the Sample Code below for an example.

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 to Reproduce Problem



   /* Compile options needed: Default
   */ 
   # include <iostream.h>
   template<class T>
   struct TempStruct
   {
    void bar() { cout << "Template generated" << endl; }
    // Change the previous line into a comment and execute the following
    // line to work around the problem:
    // void bar();
   };
   // Execute the following lines to work around the problem:
   // template <class T>
   // inline void TempStruct<T>::bar()
   // {
   //   cout << "Template generated" << endl;
   // }
   void TempStruct<float>::bar()
   {
      cout << "Template specialized" << endl;
   }
   void main()
   {
       TempStruct<int> F1;
       TempStruct<float> F2;
       F1.bar();
       F2.bar();
   }
   // The output from the program is:
      Template generated
      Template generated
   // The output should be:
      Template generated
      Template specialized
				

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/5/2005
Keywords:kbbug kbfix KB138446