Article: Q75601
Product(s): Microsoft Macro Assembler
Version(s): MS-DOS:5.10a,6.0,6.0a,6.0b,6.1,6.10a,6.11
Operating System(s):
Keyword(s):
Last Modified: 06-MAY-2001
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM), versions 5.10a, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0b, 6.1, 6.10a, 6.11
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SYMPTOMS
========
When initializing a structure in the Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM), if the
initializers are written on separate lines, one or more of the following errors
may occur:
MASM 6.x A2045: missing angle bracket or brace in literal
MASM 6.x A2009: syntax error in expression
MASM 5.x A2105: expected: instruction, directive or label
RESOLUTION
==========
To work around this problem, either use the backslash (\) line continuation
character following a comma, or with MASM 6.0 and later use curly braces in
place of the angle brackets. Curly braces are a legal substitute syntax for
angle brackets. The sample code below illustrates the problem syntax and the
workaround.
STATUS
======
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in MASM versions 5.1, 5.1a, 6.0,
6.0a, 6.0b, 6.1, 6.1a, and 6.11. We are researching this problem and will post
new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.
MORE INFORMATION
================
Page 127 of the "Microsoft Macro Assembler Programmer's Guide" from MASM 6.0
states:
The list of initializers can be broken only after a comma unless you use a
line continuation character (\) at the end of the line.
The following sasmple code can be used to demonstrate the problem.
Sample Code
-----------
; Assemble options needed: /c
.MODEL small
name1 STRUCT
sub1 DB 'item'
sub2 DW ?
name1 ENDS
.DATA
;item3 name1 {'am', ; assembles correctly
; 14}
;item4 name1 <'pm',\ ; assembles correctly with the
; 18> ; (\)continuation character
item3 name1 <'am', ; this generates an error
14> ; MASM 6.0 A2045: missing angle bracket or
; brace in literal
; MASM 5.1 A2105: expected: instruction,
; directive or label
item4 name1 <'pm'\ ; this generates an error
18> ; MASM 6.0 A2009: syntax error in expression
; MASM 5.1 A2105: expected: instruction,
; directive or label
.CODE
mov ax, @data ; initialize the ds register
mov ds, ax
mov ax, item3.sub2 ; for verifying the values
mov ax, item4.sub2 ; of the initialization, in CodeView
mov ax, 4C00h
int 21h
END
Additional query words: 5.10 5.10a 6.00 6.00a 6.00b 6.10 6.10a buglist6.00a buglist6.00b buglist6.10 buglist6.10a buglist6.11
======================================================================
Keywords :
Technology : kbMASMsearch kbAudDeveloper kbMASM600 kbMASM610 kbMASM611 kbMASM600a kbMASM600b
Version : MS-DOS:5.10a,6.0,6.0a,6.0b,6.1,6.10a,6.11
=============================================================================