http://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=54430
Bug #: 54430 Summary: [C++11] Range Based For Loop lhs scoping issue Classification: Unclassified Product: gcc Version: 4.7.1 Status: UNCONFIRMED Severity: normal Priority: P3 Component: c++ AssignedTo: unassig...@gcc.gnu.org ReportedBy: m...@koios.de The scope of the iterating variable begins too early, i.e. it is already available in the expression of the rhs. This is a problem if the rhs expression includes the same identifier which is shadowed by this issue. Simple case: int i[] = { }; for (int i : i); fails to compile because the rhs 'i' will be the same as the lhs 'i' which is not a valid expression for the range-based for-loop. The range-based for-loop is equivalent to some for-construct. According to the standard the above should compile because the scope of the lhs begins inside the body of this substituted for-loop. Just for completeness: The Evil case: class MyType { std::vector<MyType*> vec; public: const std::vector<MyType*>& foo() { return vec; } }; MyType * t = new MyType; for (MyType * t : t->foo()); this will not refuse to compile since everything is well-formed. The real problem is that foo isn't called on the previously defined t but on the new uninitialized t.