<error C2059: syntax error : 'constant'> when compiling with const int

Question

I am getting the following errors when compiling the below code:

3>c:\hedge\hedge\hedge\AisTarget.h(22) : error C2059: syntax error : 'constant'
3>c:\hedge\hedge\hedge\AisTarget.h(22) : error C2238: unexpected token(s) preceding ';'

---

#if !defined(AisTarget_h)
#define AisTarget_h

#include "GeneralAviationItems.h"
#include <string>

namespace HEDGE {
    using namespace GeneralAviation; 

    class AisTarget : public WaypointLatLon {
        public:
            static const int NO_DATA = -1000; //here is the error
    };    
} // end namespace HEDGE

#endif

Answer 1

It is likely that NO_DATA is already defined as a macro elsewhere, and so it is expanding into something that does not agree with the compiler's notion of a variable name. Try re-naming NO_DATA to something else.

If there were no such conflict, the code as it were would compile fine, as demonstrated here.

Answer 2

Even if this post has its age: The error can generally occur when multiple redefinitions, even regardless of upper/lower case, coexist. This includes potential preprocessor definitions in the solution's .vcprojx file!. Consider something like

  <ItemDefinitionGroup>
    <ClCompile>
      <PreprocessorDefinitions>$(Configuration);%(PreprocessorDefinitions)</PreprocessorDefinitions>
    </ClCompile>
  </ItemDefinitionGroup>

in the above mentioned file. Now, having "Debug" and "Release" configurations you will most probably run into some problems and a potential source for the C2059 error. I experienced exaclty this dilemma.