DOCUMENT:Q168385 13-FEB-2002 [visualc] TITLE :BUG: The "this" Pointer Is Incorrect in Destructor of Base Class PRODUCT :Microsoft C Compiler PROD/VER::5.0,6.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbtool kbCompiler kbVC500bug kbVC600bugkbbuglist ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition, versions 5.0, 6.0 - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition, versions 5.0, 6.0 - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Learning Edition, version 6.0 - Microsoft Visual C++.NET (2002) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== The "this" pointer is incorrectly set up in the destructor of a base class. This problem occurs when the array delete is called and there is a class that inherits from two base classes that have virtual functions and the second base class has a virtual destructor. RESOLUTION ========== One workaround is to make the base classes virtual base classes. Another option is to use something other than array new and array delete to allocate and deallocate the memory. For example, declare the array statically. STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. MORE INFORMATION ================ The following is example code: #include using namespace std; class A { public: A(){} ~A(){} virtual void A1() {} }; class B { public: B(); virtual ~B(); int marker; }; B::B() { marker = 10; cout << "In constructor, this is " << this << endl; } B::~B() { cout << "In destructor, this is " << this << endl; if ( this->marker != 10) cout << "Data has been corrupted" << endl; } class C: public A, public B // class C: public A, virtual public B // Workaround {public: C(){} ~C(){} }; int main() { C * pC; pC = new C[2]; delete [] pC; return 0 ; } /* Sample Program Output */ In constructor, this is 00460DA8 In constructor, this is 00460DB4 In destructor, this is 00460DB0 Data has been corrupted In destructor, this is 00460DA4 Data has been corrupted Additional query words: ====================================================================== Keywords : kbtool kbCompiler kbVC500bug kbVC600bug kbbuglist Technology : kbVCsearch kbAudDeveloper kbVC500 kbVC600 kbVC32bitSearch kbVCNET kbVC500Search Version : :5.0,6.0 Issue type : kbbug ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.