Compiler Error C3996

  • Article

 

annotations that pertain to the value returned by a function should appear at (or near) the start of the declaration

To correct this error

  • In the declaration, put the SAL annotation that corresponds to the return value either directly before the function identifier or before auto.

Example

The following sample generates C3996.

// compile with /analyze

#include <cstdlib>

auto array_alloc(_In_ size_t size) -> _Ret_maybenull_ void *
{
  return malloc(size);
}

Example

The next sample corrects the error.

// compile with /analyze

#include <cstdlib>

auto _Ret_maybenull_ array_alloc(_In_ size_t size) -> void *
{
  return malloc(size);
}