Error C2589 on std::numeric_limits<double>::min()

Question

When I try to compile some code (not my own) i get a C2589 '(':illegal token on right side of'::'

on this line:

    maxPosition[0]=std::numeric_limits<double>::min();

i guess this is because there is already a min() macro defined, but why is the compiler not taking the min() from the specified namespace instead of the macro?

Answer 1

but why is the compiler not taking the min() from the specified namespace instead of the macro?

Because macros don't care about your namespaces, language semantics, or your compiler. The preprocessing happens first.

In other words, the compiler only sees what is left after the preprocessing stage. And min was replaced by some replacement string, and the result is what the compiler saw.

Answer 2

Hitting F12 on offending std::numeric_limits::min() function

Leads to some where like :

c:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\8.1\Include\shared\minwindef.h

Where you will find:

#ifndef NOMINMAX

#ifndef max
#define max(a,b)            (((a) > (b)) ? (a) : (b))
#endif

#ifndef min
#define min(a,b)            (((a) < (b)) ? (a) : (b))
#endif

So adding

#define NOMINMAX

to top of your .cpp file (as the WINAPI does: see Windows.h as example) before any #include headers should rectify the problem.