FIX: Typedef Type Causes C2275: Illegal Use of Type (166513)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition 4.2
Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition 4.2
Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition 5.0
Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition 5.0

This article was previously published under Q166513

SYMPTOMS

Using a typedef cast in the member initialization of a class may cause the following errors:

error C2275: 'test::run' : illegal use of this type as an expression
error C2146: syntax error : missing ')' before identifier 'arg'
error C2612: trailing '.*|->*' illegal in base/member initializer list
error C2059: syntax error : ')'
error C2143: syntax error : missing ';' before '{'
fatal error C1004: unexpected end of file found

RESOLUTION

Use the actual type rather then the typedef. For example, in the following sample use test::run rather than test_run. Or, use the functional notation test_run (arg) for type conversion instead of the cast notation. Another option is to initialize the member in the body of function.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Visual C++ version 6.0.

MORE INFORMATION

/* Compiler Options Needed : none */ 

    class test {
    public:
        enum run{ one, two, three };
    };

    typedef test::run test_run;

    class test2 {
        test2(int);
        ~test2();
    public:
        test_run testvalue;
    };

    test2::test2(int arg):testvalue( (test_run) arg) {}     //Causes error

    // test2::test2(int arg):testvalue( (test::run) arg) {} //WORKAROUND 1
    // test2::test2(int arg):testvalue( test_run (arg)) {}  //WORKAROUND 2

Modification Type:	Minor	Last Reviewed:	7/5/2005
Keywords:	kbBug kbfix kbVC600fix KB166513