FIX: C2555 On Virtual Functions with Covariant Return Types (240862)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Learning Edition 6.0
- Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition 6.0
- Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition 5.0
- Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition 6.0
- Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition 5.0
This article was previously published under Q240862 SYMPTOMS
You can receive the following error message if you try to override a virtual function with a covariant return type:
error C2555: 'B::function' : overriding virtual function differs
from'A::function' only by return type or calling convention
Please refer to the sample code in the "More Information" section for details.
CAUSE
The compiler does not support virtual functions with covariant return types as specified in the C++ Standard, section 10.3, which is quoted below:
5- The return type of an overriding function shall be either identical to the return type of the overridden function or covariant with the classes of the functions. If a function D::f overrides a function B::f, the return types of the functions are covariant if they satisfy the following criteria:
- both are pointers to classes or references to classes
- the class in the return type of B::f is the same class as the class in the return type of D::f or, is an unambiguous direct or indirect base class of the class in the return type of D::f and is accessible in D
- both pointers or references have the same cv-qualification and the class type in the return type of D::f has the same cv-qualification as or less cv-qualification than the class type in the return type of B::f.
STATUSMicrosoft has confirmed that this is a bug in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.
This problem was corrected in Microsoft Visual C++ .NET.
Modification Type: | Minor | Last Reviewed: | 7/5/2005 |
---|
Keywords: | kbBug kbCompiler kbCPPonly kbfix kbNoUpdate KB240862 kbAudDeveloper |
---|
|