c++/10065: -pedantic has strange side effects; what is accept ed in -std=c++98

[Baldwin, Arthur W]

I do not understand the resolution of this problem.  The response below says
in part:

    Variable sized array are not supposed to be disabled with
    -ansi or -std=c++98 because they can't possibly conflict
    with well-formed ISO programs.

The reason I reported the issue is that I cannot compile a program with
variable sized arrays with flags such as -ansi or -std=c++98.  The compiler
(gcc-3.2.2 on Linux) issues errors and aborts the build.  With -pedantic,
however, I get a warning, but the build completes. Older versions of the
compiler handled the variable sized arrays without any flags.

The question is:  Does gcc support variable sized arrays or not, and will
the compiler support the variable sized arrays into the future?  We have
legacy, delivered code that exploits the variable-sized array capability of
an older compiler, and I have to know whether we should prepare to rewrite
the code in a maintenance upgrade when we evolve to a new OS and new
compiler.  At the moment, the only way I could redeliver the code would be
to compile with -pedantic, and then explain away the warnings.  Without
-pedantic, IT WON'T COMPILE.

Sorry if I'm being dense about the response, but it doesn't seem to address
my concern.

Art Baldwin

.............................................
Art Baldwin
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems
100 Plastics Avenue
Pittsfield, MA  01201
arthur.baldwin@gd-ais.com
413.494.2583


> -----Original Message-----
> From: giovannibajo@libero.it [mailto:giovannibajo@libero.it]
> Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2003 10:00 PM
> To: arthur.baldwin@gd-ais.com; gcc-bugs@gcc.gnu.org;
> gcc-prs@gcc.gnu.org; nobody@gcc.gnu.org
> Subject: Re: c++/10065: -pedantic has strange side effects; what is
> accepted in -std=c++98
> 
> 
> Synopsis: -pedantic has strange side effects; what is 
> accepted in -std=c++98
> 
> State-Changed-From-To: analyzed->closed
> State-Changed-By: bajo
> State-Changed-When: Fri May 16 01:59:54 2003
> State-Changed-Why:
>     Can't see a reason to keep this open. The problem with
>     -pedantic converting errors to warning is already handled
>     in c++/10032.
>     Variable sized array are not supposed to be disabled with
>     -ansi or -std=c++98 because they can't possibly conflict
>     with well-formed ISO programs. The official way to disable
>     extension is to use -pedantic, and -pedantic correctly
>     reports a warning about it.
> 
> http://gcc.gnu.org/cgi-bin/gnatsweb.pl?cmd=view%20audit-trail&
database=gcc&pr=10065