g++ uses infinite memory with unusual 'new' statement

[Paul Dubuc <pdubuc@xxxxxxx>]

This bug is simlar to #11282 in the GCC Bugzilla database, but It may have a 
different cause.  The following program causes g++ 3.3 to loop (with no error or 
warning messages) using up all virtual memory.

int
main()
{
    int i = 16;
    char* heap_area = new char [i]();
}

Is line 5 valid C++ with the parens?  I've never see new called this way, but it 
compiled fine with g++ 2.95.3.  If the parens are valid, what do they mean?

With g++ 3.2.3 I get the following error:

  z.cc: In function `int main()':
  z.cc:5: variable-sized object of type `char[i]' may not be initialized

With 3.3 the code compiles fine when the parens are removed from line 5 or if a 
literal constant is used in place of 'i'.

--
Paul M. Dubuc