http://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=55227
Bug #: 55227 Summary: designated initializer for char array by string constant Classification: Unclassified Product: gcc Version: 4.8.0 Status: UNCONFIRMED Severity: normal Priority: P3 Component: c++ AssignedTo: unassig...@gcc.gnu.org ReportedBy: pavel.v.chu...@gmail.com t.C: struct S { char a[25]; }; int main() { struct S s = {a:"aaaa"}; (void)s; return 0; } t.C: In function 'int main()': t.C:4:26: error: C99 designator 'a' outside aggregate initializer struct S s = {a:"aaaa"}; ^ Workarounds: 1) struct S s = {"aaaa"}; 2) struct S { char *a; };