DOCUMENT:Q75601  06-MAY-2001  [masm]
TITLE   :BUG: Continuation Char with Initializing Structures
PRODUCT :Microsoft Macro Assembler
PROD/VER:MS-DOS:5.10a,6.0,6.0a,6.0b,6.1,6.10a,6.11
OPER/SYS:
KEYWORDS:

======================================================================
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS
PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.  MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS
ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  IN NO
EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR
ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF
MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.  SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION
OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES
SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.