FIX: Inaccurate value is assigned to a variable by an assignment statement in a Visual C++ application that is compiled with the "/O2" optimization option in Visual Studio 2010

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, it is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft website:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=supportNote In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must have Visual Studio 2010 SP1 installed.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you install this hotfix if any instance of Visual Studio 2010 is running.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfix.

File Information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Steps to reproduce this problem

To reproduce this issue, use the following code to generate a Visual C++ application:

#include <stdio.h>
#include <tchar.h>
#include <memory.h>
#include <malloc.h>

typedef struct Run 
{
            int value;
} 
Run;

int _tmain(int argc, _TCHAR* argv[])
{
            TCHAR* szCount = _T("4");
            int count = _ttoi(szCount);
            size_t size = count * sizeof(Run);

            Run* pRun = (Run*) malloc(size);
            memset(pRun, 0, size);

            size = count * sizeof(unsigned char);
            unsigned char* pLevels = (unsigned char*) malloc( size);
            memset(pLevels, 0, size);

            for(int i = 0; i < count; ++i)
            {
                        pRun[i].value = 1 + i;

            }

            int symbol = 0;
            int i;
            for(i=0; i<count; ++i) 
            {
                        symbol=pRun[i].value+=symbol;
                       //Work around method
                       //pRun[i].value += symbol;                     
                       //symbol = pRun[i].value;
}

            for(int i = 0; i < count; ++i)
            {
                        printf("%d ", pRun[i].value);
            }

            printf("\r\n");
            free(pRun);

            return 0;
}

You compile the application with the /O2 optimization option, and then you receive the following incorrect result:
1 2 4 6
However, the expected result is as follows:
1 3 6 10