BUG: IntelliSense Limitations with C++ Classes (190968)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition 6.0
This article was previously published under Q190968 SYMPTOMS
This article discusses some of the limitations of IntelliSense when working
with classes. The following problems are addressed:
- Class constructors do not activate Parameter Info.
- Private members display in Members list for an object outside of the
class definition.
- IntelliSense may not recognize standard Win32 data types in member
functions when default parameters are used.
- IntelliSense does not recognize the member functions of a few new MFC
classes, such as CIPAddressCtrl, CMonthCalCtrl, CRebar, and CRebarCtrl.
- IntelliSense may not display the member list of a class in the constructor of a derived class if its virtual base class member is used inside the derived class constructor.
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
The following is a code sample that illustrates the limitations described
in this article. This sample should be placed into a header file:
//
// Test.h : IntelliSense Class Limitations
//
//void IntelliSenseFix(DWORD,UINT);
class CIntelliSense
{
public :
CIntelliSense(int n=5) { Num = n; }
void Win32Types(DWORD dw=10, UINT ui=6) {}
void MFCProblem()
{
CMonthCalCtrl calCtrl;
}
private :
void PrivateFunction() {}
int Num;
}
Create a Visual C++ MFC project, and include the header file above into a
source file.
Class Constructors Do Not Activate Parameter Info
Type the following line of code into the source file:
CIntelliSense CIs(
Notice that no Parameter Info appears for the optional parameter "n" in the
class constructor.
Private Members Display in Members List Outside the Class Definition
Type the following lines of code into the source file:
CIntelliSense CIs;
CIs.
The Members list for the CIntelliSense class should appear after typing the
period. Notice that it contains the PrivateFunction member function and the
Num member variable.
Although these functions and variables appear in the Members list, they
will generate a compiler error C2248 if used. Private member variables and
functions can not be used outside of the class in which they are defined.
IntelliSense May Not Recognize Standard Win32 Data Types in Member
Functions When Default Parameters Are Used
Type the following lines of code into the source file:
CIntelliSense CIs;
CIs.Win32Types(
Notice that only the first DWORD parameter appears in the Parameter Info
for this function. IntelliSense does not provide Parameter Info for the
second parameter of this function.
When an unknown data type is used in a member function parameter list,
IntelliSense stops parsing the function at that point. At times,
IntelliSense does not recognize Win32 data types as valid data types when
used in member functions. This is related to the use of default parameters,
and it causes Parameter Info and Type Info to generate a truncated list of
function parameters. The only way to avoid this problem is to use the data
type outside of a default parameter list before it is used in the member
function. This has to occur in the same file that contains the class
definition. The following is a workaround:
- Identify all of the data types that are having this problem.
- Create a global function prototype above the class where the problem
occurs.
- Place each of the data types that IntelliSense doesn't recognize in the
function's parameter list.
In the sample code, remove the comments from the global IntelliSenseFix
prototype function. The complete Parameter Info and Type Info now appears
for the Win32Types function.
IntelliSense Does Not Recognize the Member Functions of a Few New MFC
Classes, such as CIPAddressCtrl, CMonthCalCtrl, CRebar, and CRebarCtrl
In the CIntelliSense::MFCProblem function, enter a new line after the
instantiation of the CMonthCalCtrl object. Insert the following code:
calCtrl.
The Members list will appear, but it does not include the member functions
for CmonthCalCtrl; however, it does include the members for the CWnd class.
REFERENCES
For additional information, please see the following article in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base:
153284
Limitations of IntelliSense in Visual C++ 6.0
"About Automatic Statement Completion;" Visual C++ Documentation, Using
Visual C++, Visual C++ Users Guide, Text Editor, Overview: Text Editor,
About Automatic Statement Completion.
"Automatically Completing Statements;" Visual C++ Documentation, Using
Visual C++, Visual C++ Users Guide, Text Editor, How do I ... Topics: Text
Editor, Automatically completing Statements.
| Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 3/5/2002 |
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| Keywords: | kbbug KB190968 kbAudDeveloper |
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