I tried to compile a class with:
static const int ERROR = 0;

seems harmless enough, but I get an error:
error C2059: syntax error : 'constant'

on digging deeper, I see the following definition in :
c:\program files\microsoft visual studio 8\vc\platformsdk\include\wingdi.h

#define ERROR 0

If I rename my static data member to MY_ERROR, then the problem goes away?

Am I to conclude that all the # defines in the various windows headers have polluted the namespace? What gives?