ambiguous symbol

Trying to compile a C++ WinForms Winsock related project with /clr option I get a few errors after adding #include <winsock2.h> statement. The reference is to a different header file: servprov.h. There is no direct reference in any of my files to this header. I verified it with quick find command. There is no reference to it in winsock2.h either. I do not know where the reference is coming from.

Thus my first question is this: how come I get errors (8 total) from a header file that is not a part of my project explicitly.

As far as I could determine, serprov.h is being referred via #include <servprov.h> in four other headers and in them only: ocidl.h, urlmon.h, propbag2.h, and atliface.h

In any event I have to deal with it. This is one of the errors:

BonnerComponent.cpp
c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(93) : error C2872: 'IServiceProvider' : ambiguous symbol
could be 'c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(48) : System::IServiceProvider IServiceProvider'
or 'c:\winnt\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\mscorlib.dll : System::IServiceProvider'

The file in question: BonnerComponent.cpp has but two statements (computer generated):

#include "StdAfx.h"
#include "BonnerComponent.h"

They've been there for days.

What can I do about it

Thanks for help.

Answer this question

ambiguous symbol

cds_ks

Actually I just realized that there is, what may be, an easier solution. Your code (or some wizard generated code) must have something like the following:

using namespace System;
...
#include <winsock2.h>

You should move the using-directive after the #include

#include <winsock2.h>
...
using namespace System;
Digitalmind
After I made the change and compiled, I got 7 errors instead of 8. The ambiguity error is still there. I will have to get back to it tomorrow. No time today anymore. Thank you. I hope tomorrow we will crack the problem.
KurtD

Jonathan, thank you. I did it. The output swelled to a "handful." Before I posted it I want to ask a general question: how do you deal with his problem in general. Do you try to exclude some of the "#include'ed "

This is the output:
------ Build started: Project: WinForm_Winsock_02, Configuration: Release Win32 ------
Compiling...
stdafx.cpp
Note: including file: c:\winnt\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\mscorlib.dll
Note: including file: c:\winnt\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\system.dll
Note: including file: c:\winnt\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\system.data.dll
Note: including file: c:\winnt\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\system.drawing.dll
Note: including file: c:\winnt\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\system.windows.forms.dll
Note: including file: c:\winnt\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\system.xml.dll
Note: including file: c:\vcplus_projects\winsockproj\winform_winsock_02\winform_winsock_02\stdafx.h
Compiling...
BonnerComponent.cpp
Note: including file: c:\vcplus_projects\winsockproj\winform_winsock_02\winform_winsock_02\BonnerComponent.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\winsock2.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\windows.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\include\excpt.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\include\crtdefs.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\include\sal.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\include\crtassem.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\include\vadefs.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\include\stdarg.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\windef.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\winnt.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\include\ctype.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\include\crtdefs.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\specstrings.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\basetsd.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\guiddef.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\include\string.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\include\crtdefs.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\pshpack4.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\poppack.h
Note: including file: c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\pshpack4.h
Note: including file: c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\pshpack2.h
Note: including file: c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\poppack.h
Note: including file: c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\pshpack2.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\pshpack2.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\poppack.h
Note: including file: c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\poppack.h
Note: including file: c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\pshpack8.h
Note: including file: c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\poppack.h
Note: including file: c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\poppack.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\winbase.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\winerror.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\wingdi.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\pshpack1.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\poppack.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\pshpack2.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\poppack.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\pshpack2.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\poppack.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\pshpack4.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\poppack.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\winuser.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\pshpack2.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\poppack.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\tvout.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\winnls.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\wincon.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\winver.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\winreg.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\reason.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\winnetwk.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\cderr.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\dde.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\ddeml.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\dlgs.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\lzexpand.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\mmsystem.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\pshpack1.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\poppack.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\nb30.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\rpc.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\rpcdce.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\rpcdcep.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\rpcnsi.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\rpcnterr.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\rpcasync.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\shellapi.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\pshpack1.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\poppack.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\winperf.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\pshpack8.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\poppack.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\winsock.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\wincrypt.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\winefs.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\winscard.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\wtypes.h
Note: including file: c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\rpcndr.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\pshpack8.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\rpcnsip.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\poppack.h
Note: including file: c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\guiddef.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\winioctl.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\pshpack1.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\poppack.h
Note: including file: c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\winsmcrd.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\winspool.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\prsht.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\pshpack4.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\poppack.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\ole2.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\pshpack8.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\objbase.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\pshpack8.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\include\stdlib.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\include\crtdefs.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\include\limits.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\include\crtdefs.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\unknwn.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\objidl.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\guiddef.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\cguid.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\urlmon.h
Note: including file: c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\oleidl.h
Note: including file: c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h
c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(93) : error C2872: 'IServiceProvider' : ambiguous symbol
could be 'c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(48) : System::IServiceProvider IServiceProvider'
or 'c:\winnt\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\mscorlib.dll : System::IServiceProvider'
c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(93) : error C3699: '*' : cannot use this indirection on type 'IServiceProvider'
compiler replacing '*' with '^' to continue parsing
c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(100) : error C2371: 'IServiceProvider' : redefinition; different basic types
c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(48) : see declaration of 'IServiceProvider'
c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(117) : error C2872: 'IServiceProvider' : ambiguous symbol
could be 'c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(100) : IServiceProvider'
or 'c:\winnt\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\mscorlib.dll : System::IServiceProvider'
c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(231) : error C2872: 'IServiceProvider' : ambiguous symbol
could be 'c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(100) : IServiceProvider'
or 'c:\winnt\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\mscorlib.dll : System::IServiceProvider'
c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(238) : error C2872: 'IServiceProvider' : ambiguous symbol
could be 'c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(100) : IServiceProvider'
or 'c:\winnt\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\mscorlib.dll : System::IServiceProvider'
Note: including file: c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\msxml.h
Note: including file: c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\oaidl.h
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\urlmon.h(5174) : error C2872: 'IServiceProvider' : ambiguous symbol
could be 'c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(100) : IServiceProvider'
or 'c:\winnt\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\mscorlib.dll : System::IServiceProvider'
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\urlmon.h(5176) : error C2872: 'IServiceProvider' : ambiguous symbol
could be 'c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(100) : IServiceProvider'
or 'c:\winnt\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\mscorlib.dll : System::IServiceProvider'
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\propidl.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\poppack.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\oleauto.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\pshpack8.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\poppack.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\poppack.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\commdlg.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\prsht.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\pshpack1.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\poppack.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\stralign.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\winsvc.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\mcx.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\imm.h
Note: including file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\qos.h
WinForm_Winsock_02.cpp
Note: including file: c:\vcplus_projects\winsockproj\winform_winsock_02\winform_winsock_02\Form1.h
AssemblyInfo.cpp
Build log was saved at "file://c:\VCPlus_projects\WINSOCKPROJ\WinForm_Winsock_02\WinForm_Winsock_02\Release\BuildLog.htm"
WinForm_Winsock_02 - 8 error(s), 0 warning(s)
========== Build: 0 succeeded, 1 failed, 0 up-to-date, 0 skipped ==========

Thanks.
Teleo

Well, Jonathan. It compiled!!!! Thanks a lot.

Actually it was me, not the wizard who put the #include statement in the wrong place.

Would you explain in more detail while it is necessary to use it on the very top.

Please stick around. We need you.

Thanks.
Adam Calderon
Hi Jonathan

I tried both of the solutions you posted:

- changing line 93 to
#ifdef __cplusplus
typedef /* [unique] */ ::IServiceProvider *LPSERVICEPROVIDER;
#else
typedef /* [unique] */ IServiceProvider *LPSERVICEPROVIDER;
#endif
-moving any .NET using namespace directives to after all #import statements.

Both solutions aren't working for me. I didn't find any places in my code that had using namespace directives before the import statements; perhaps I'm missing something...

Is there any other way to solve this problem
Koiti
I have been fighting this error today and I tried the servprov.h modification (went from 4 errors to 3) and trying finding any "using namespace System" before my include of <windows.h>, but nothing fixed my problem.

Then, the response from SDKCodeMonkey contained the solution to my problem. I noted he included <comdef.h> before his <windows.h> include, so I tried that and it worked for me.

I'm posting this in hopes this might fix someone elses problem too. Good luck!
Inna73863
i too am having issues with this..

i've also tried both and they don't work for me either ;(

this:

#include "stdafx.h"
#include <string.h>
#include "TestServiceWinService.h"

#include <comdef.h>
#include <windows.h>

#include "inframod.h"
#include "imkernel.h"

using namespace TestService;
using namespace System::Text;
using namespace System::Security::Policy;
using namespace System::Reflection;
using namespace System;

gives me this:

1>------ Build started: Project: TestService, Configuration: Debug Win32 ------
1>Compiling...
1>TestServiceWinService.cpp
1>c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(93) : error C2872: 'IServiceProvider' : ambiguous symbol
1>        could be 'c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(48) : System::IServiceProvider IServiceProvider'
1>        or 'c:\windows\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\mscorlib.dll : System::IServiceProvider'
1>c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(93) : error C3699: '*' : cannot use this indirection on type 'IServiceProvider'
1>        compiler replacing '*' with '^' to continue parsing
1>c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(100) : error C2371: 'IServiceProvider' : redefinition; different basic types
1>        c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(48) : see declaration of 'IServiceProvider'
1>c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(117) : error C2872: 'IServiceProvider' : ambiguous symbol
1>        could be 'c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(100) : IServiceProvider'
1>        or 'c:\windows\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\mscorlib.dll : System::IServiceProvider'
1>c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(231) : error C2872: 'IServiceProvider' : ambiguous symbol
1>        could be 'c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(100) : IServiceProvider'
1>        or 'c:\windows\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\mscorlib.dll : System::IServiceProvider'
1>c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(238) : error C2872: 'IServiceProvider' : ambiguous symbol
1>        could be 'c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(100) : IServiceProvider'
1>        or 'c:\windows\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\mscorlib.dll : System::IServiceProvider'
1>C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\urlmon.h(5174) : error C2872: 'IServiceProvider' : ambiguous symbol
1>        could be 'c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(100) : IServiceProvider'
1>        or 'c:\windows\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\mscorlib.dll : System::IServiceProvider'
1>C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\urlmon.h(5176) : error C2872: 'IServiceProvider' : ambiguous symbol
1>        could be 'c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(100) : IServiceProvider'
1>        or 'c:\windows\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\mscorlib.dll : System::IServiceProvider'
1>C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\PlatformSDK\include\ocidl.h(8005) : error C2872: 'IServiceProvider' : ambiguous symbol
1>        could be 'c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(100) : IServiceProvider'
1>        or 'c:\windows\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\mscorlib.dll : System::IServiceProvider'
1>c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\include\comdefsp.h(1041) : error C2872: 'IServiceProvider' : ambiguous symbol
1>        could be 'c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(100) : IServiceProvider'
1>        or 'c:\windows\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\mscorlib.dll : System::IServiceProvider'
1>c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\include\comdefsp.h(1041) : error C2872: 'IServiceProvider' : ambiguous symbol
1>        could be 'c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\servprov.h(100) : IServiceProvider'
1>        or 'c:\windows\microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727\mscorlib.dll : System::IServiceProvider'
1>Build log was saved at "file://c:\observer\TestService\Debug\BuildLog.htm"
1>TestService - 11 error(s), 0 warning(s)
========== Build: 0 succeeded, 1 failed, 0 up-to-date, 0 skipped ==========

UPDATE!!!

if i move these (my includes) above the #include "stdafx.h" it compiles

#include <comdef.h>
#include <windows.h>

#include "inframod.h"
#include "imkernel.h"
Jason Callas
If the compiler is finding the definition of the Win32 IServiceProvider in the global namespace then you must be, somehow, including the definition. I would use the /showIncludes compiler option to see how the definition is being brought in.
Oleg Sych

I actually fix this specific issue by editing the header - now I know that sounds scary but the edit I make won't change the original meaning of the header file.

Line 93 in servprov.h is:

typedef /* [unique] */ IServiceProvider *LPSERVICEPROVIDER;

I change this to:

#ifdef __cplusplus
typedef /* [unique] */ ::IServiceProvider *LPSERVICEPROVIDER;
#else
typedef /* [unique] */ IServiceProvider *LPSERVICEPROVIDER;
#endif

I wrap the change in a #ifdef __cpluplus as this header may be include by a C program (which doesn't understand '::') - adding the '::' guarantees that thename-lookup will find the correct symbol (as the managed equivalent is in the namespace System). Doing this is much easier than trying to work out how to exclude this header file.
Mike Anderson

Actually I was able to find time today. This is an overview of all new errors:

Now it says that the servprov.h cannot use indirection on type IServiceProvider (line 94 of servprov.h):

typedef /* [unique] */ ::IServiceProvider *LPSERVICEPROVIDER;

On line 104:

IServiceProvider : public IUnknown

The error is: redefiniton: different basic types

Line 121: IServiceProvider __RPC_FAR * This

the error is: ambigous symbol

Similar errors are also on 235 and 242.

Also in file urlmon.h there are similar errors on lines 5174 and 5176. They are all about IServiceProvider.

What shall I do next

Thank you.
sl0140

Thank you very much, Jonathan. I will make changes in my file also and try it. I've got four versions of this file in different directories so it may take a few minutes to fix everything.

Thank you again.
ambiguous symbol

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