Since abstract classes cannot be instantiated without being derived, any classes inherited virtually in an abstract class cannot have their constructor called by the abstract class constuctor hence the abstract class constructor must not reference the constructor of any virtually inherited class.
Discussion on comp.std.c++ : http://groups-beta.google.com/group/comp.std.c++/browse_thread/thread/0d8cf2d93117bfa1#3f6fda6a03cb5c6a Diagnostics : /gcc/gcc-4.0-20041128-build/bin/g++ -o xx virt_inhr_vcbug.cpp virt_inhr_vcbug.cpp: In constructor ‘Interface::Interface()’: virt_inhr_vcbug.cpp:4: error: ‘controller::controller()’ is private virt_inhr_vcbug.cpp:22: error: within this context Code: class controller { controller(); // private don't want anyone to call this public: controller( int ); // this should be called instead }; class Interface : virtual public controller { public: virtual void DoThing() = 0; }; class Application : public Interface { public: Application() : controller( 3 ) { } void DoThing() { // Doing it here ! } }; -- Summary: abstract classes should not access virtually inherited class constructor Product: gcc Version: 4.0.0 Status: UNCONFIRMED Severity: normal Priority: P2 Component: c++ AssignedTo: unassigned at gcc dot gnu dot org ReportedBy: gianni at mariani dot ws CC: gcc-bugs at gcc dot gnu dot org http://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=19249
