Compiler Error C2228

 

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The latest version of this topic can be found at Compiler Error C2228.

left of '.identifier' must have class/struct/union

The operand to the left of the period (.) is not a class, structure, or union.

The following sample generates C2228:

// C2228.cpp  
int i;  
struct S {  
public:  
    int member;  
} s, *ps = &s;  
  
int main() {  
   i.member = 0;   // C2228 i is not a class type  
   ps.member = 0;  // C2228 ps is a pointer to a structure  
  
   s.member = 0;   // s is a structure type  
   ps->member = 0; // ps points to a structure S  
}  

You will also see this error if you use incorrect syntax when using Managed Extensions. Whereas in other Visual Studio languages, you can use the dot operator to access a member of a managed class, a pointer to the object in C++ means you have to use the -> operator to access the member:

Wrong: String * myString = checkedListBox1->CheckedItems->Item[0].ToString();

Right: String * myString = checkedListBox1->CheckedItems->Item[0]->ToString();

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