FIX: C2371: Cast to Struct Ptr in Default Arg of Class Member

 Last reviewed: September 19, 1997
Article ID: Q148504
The information in this article applies to:
  • The Microsoft C/C++ Compiler (CL.EXE) included with: - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Edition, versions 4.0, 4.1, 4.2

SYMPTOMS

When encountering a cast to a structure pointer in the default argument of a class member function, the Visual C++ compiler generates the following error: 

   error C2371: 'MyClass' : redefinition; different basic types
This error does not occur if the function declaration is not a member of a class.

RESOLUTION

If you are casting from an integral literal, remove the cast. For example, change this: 

   MyFunc (struct MyStruct *p = (struct MyStruct*)0);  //C2371 error
to this: 

   MyFunc (struct MyStruct *p = 0);                    //no error
If you are casting from a different structure type, remove the struct keyword from the cast. For example, change this: 

   yFunc (struct MyStruct *p = (struct MyStruct*)x);  //C2371 error
to this: 

   MyFunc (struct MyStruct *p = (MyStruct*)x);         //no error

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. 

Keywords          : CPPIss vcbuglist400 vcfixlist500 kbprg kbtool
Version           : 4.0 4.1 4.2
Platform          : NT WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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Last reviewed: September 19, 1997
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