Re: g++ and subclass template specialization

From:
"Victor Bazarov" <v.Abazarov@comAcast.net>
Newsgroups:
comp.lang.c++
Date:
Mon, 9 Apr 2007 20:21:23 -0400
Message-ID:
<hOedne50Hs4ZRYfbnZ2dnUVZ_uGjnZ2d@comcast.com>
vilarneto@gmail.com wrote:

Hello everyone,

Today I started to use template specializations in a project and
suddenly faced a curious problem. Following is a complete example
that shows the situation:

----------

class A {
};

template<class T>
class B : public A {
};

template<>
class B<int> {
};


So, B<T> is a descendant of A for all T but 'int'. B<int> is *not*
a descendant of A. That's what you wrote.

int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
   A *a;
   a = new B<double>;
   a = new B<int>;
   return 0;
}

----------

g++ 3.4.6, refuses to compile the 2nd assignment, issuing a "cannot
convert `B<int>*' to `A*' in assignment" error. However, under my
concepts B is a subclass of A (as expected, the compiler accepts the
1st assignment).


B is not a subclass of anything. B is a class template. B<int> is
a class, which has no base classes. B<double> is a class that *does*
have a base class.

Is this a compiler bug or a language specification?


It is not a compiler bug.

 Does anyone
suggests a portable workaround (other than avoid TS and subclass
B<int> as a nontemplate class C)?


Huh?

template<> class B<int> : public A { ...

C++ is really an interesting language... after 10+ years of daily
use, sometimes we find ourselves amused with something unexpected.


V
--
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