[Bug c++/41575] New: GCC lists private methods as candidates in "no matching function for call"

[mnemo at minimum dot se]

The following C++ code:
########################################

class Klass
{
public:
private:
        static void f(const char*& a, int b) {}
};

int main (void)
{
        char* x;
        Klass::f (x);
}


########################################
Incorrectly produces the follow error message in GCC:
main.cpp: In function ‘int main()’:
main.cpp:13: error: no matching function for call to ‘Klass::f(char*&)’
main.cpp:7: note: candidates are: static void Klass::f(const char*&, int)


This is not correct because f() is not a valid candidate because it's private
and can never be called from outside of Klass.

The purpose of this error message is to help the end user understand why his
function call is not accepted by GCC (usually it's because one of the types are
wrong in the parameter list, which is why the provided and candidate parameters
are printed in the first place). However, in this context the fact that f is
private is also highly relevant.

Basically this is very confusing, GCC should mention that the only candidate is
private and that's why stuff won't compile. Alternatively, GCC should not claim
that f() is a candidate at all, because in reality it's not a candidate because
it's not callable.


-- 
           Summary: GCC lists private methods as candidates in "no matching
                    function for call"
           Product: gcc
           Version: unknown
            Status: UNCONFIRMED
          Severity: normal
          Priority: P3
         Component: c++
        AssignedTo: unassigned at gcc dot gnu dot org
        ReportedBy: mnemo at minimum dot se


http://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=41575