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# BUG: LINK Generates Incorrect Unresolved External for Pointer

Article ID: 116302

Article Last Modified on 9/30/2003

APPLIES TO

- Microsoft LINK for MS-DOS 5.3
- Microsoft LINK for MS-DOS 5.31.009
- Microsoft LINK for MS-DOS 5.5
- Microsoft LINK for MS-DOS 5.6

This article was previously published under Q116302

## SYMPTOMS

Compiling and linking the sample code shown below causes the linker to generate two L2029 error messages. If the code is compiled as C++ source, the linker shows an incorrect parameter list when generating the unresolved external error message for the Test function.
If the sample code is compiled as a C++ file, the linker generates the following error message with the incorrect parameter list:
error L2029: 'void __near __cdecl Test(unsigned int,char __far*,
int __far*,char __far*)'
The error message with the correct parameter list would be:
error L2029: 'void __near __cdecl Test(unsigned int,char __far*,
int __far*,int __far*)'

## CAUSE

When an L2029 error message is generated for a C++ symbol, the linker "undecorates" the symbol name, using the type information encoded as part of the decorated name. It is during this "undecoration" that the incorrect parameter list is generated based on the function's signature.

## STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem with LINK for MS-DOS, versions 5.3, 5.31.009, 5.5, and 5.6. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

### Sample Code

    /*
       Compile options needed: /Tp (must be compiled as C++ source)

       NOTE: The sample code below is designed to generate two L2029
       errors.
    */

       #include <windows.h>

       extern void Test(UINT,LPSTR,LPINT,LPINT);
       extern void Test2(LPINT,LPINT,LPSTR,UINT);

       void main()
       {
           char ray[10];
           int num;
           UINT uint=(unsigned)1.0;
           LPINT iptr;
           LPSTR cptr;

           iptr=&num;
           cptr=&ray[0];
           Test(uint,cptr,iptr,iptr);   // L2029 with incorrect parameter
           Test2(iptr,iptr,cptr,uint);  // L2029 with correct parameters
       }

Additional query words: mangled decorated .CPP 5.30 5.50 5.60

Keywords: kb16bitonly KB116302