Re: porting error I don't understand

[mark]

> So, the correct operator=() signature should be:
>
>     Matrix&  operator=( const Matrix& A );

Well, here's a funny thing now... I tried this:

Matrix& Matrix::operator=( const Matrix& A ) /* assignment operator
overload */
{
 if( ( void * )( &A ) == ( void * )( this ) )    /* if nothing to do
... */
  return( *this );

 if( Data != NULL )   /* if contains data, free it... */
  free( Data );

 R = A.R;             /* copy the fields */
 C = A.C;
 TheCopyFlag = 0;     /* but set copy flag to clear now... */
 Type = A.Type;
 Data = NULL;

 if( Type != Undefined )
 {
  if( A.TheCopyFlag )    /* the fast pass-through method... */
  {
   Data = A.Data;
   A.Data = NULL;               <<<<======= mind that one !!!!
   return( *this );
  }
           /* if normal mode than do allocate and copy the stuff... */
  Data = ( complex * )( malloc( MatrixDataSize( A ) ) );

  if( Data == NULL )
  {
   MatrixErrorFunc( MemoryError );
   C = 0;
   R = 0;
   Type = Undefined;
   return( *this );
  }

  memcpy( Data, A.Data, MatrixDataSize( A ) );
 }

 return( *this );            /* return ref to this matrix */
}

As far as I understand, the const keyword, without defining the Data
member of the Matrix class to be "mutable", should not allow me to do
that. But it compiles ?! Is this a "hidden" feature of g++ or am I
misunderstanding things again?

best regards, 

mark somers.