Error message for casting pointer difference is confusing

[orangebowlerhat]

Given code like this

char* a = 0x20; // not a sensible value, just for example purposes
char* b = 0x25;
uint diff = b - a;

Produces the error message

Error: 'isz' (long) cannot implicitly be converted to 'uint', but you may use a cast.

This message is confusing. It's unclear what to solve given that the error mentions 'isz' but nothing in the error line is a size value. A message more like the following might explain the problem better.

The difference of two pointers cannot be implicitly converted to 'uint', but you may use a cast

[lerno]

This should be fixed now.

[lerno]

Is this working?

[BWindey]

On both v0.7.2 and v0.7.3 I get an error about the char* a = 0x20; part.

• On 0.7.2 the error is

Error: Implicitly casting 'char' to 'char*' is not permitted, but you may do an explicit cast...

• On 0.7.3 the error is

Error: Implicitly casting 'uint' to 'char*' is not permitted...

That changed too apparently, but ok.

When I add the casts for those and look at the errors for uint diff = b - a;, then

• On 0.7.2:

Error: 'isz' (long) cannot implicitly be converted to 'uint', but you may use a cast.

• On 0.7.3:

Error: A pointer diff has the type 'isz' (long) which cannot implicitly be converted to 'uint'. You can use an explicit cast if you know the conversion is safe.

[lerno]

That looks correct. I'll close it. Thank you for checking @BWindey