DOCUMENT:Q137174 04-MAY-2001 [masm] TITLE :DOCERR: A2041 Error When Macro Parameter Length > 255 bytes PRODUCT :Microsoft Macro Assembler PROD/VER::6.11 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM), version 6.11 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY ======= MASM returns an A2041 error (String or Text literal too long) when passing to a MACRO a set of parameters whose total length is greater than 255 bytes. The inidvidual parameters may be shorter than the stated 255 byte maximum, but the MACRO expansion treats the entire parameter list as a single string (text literal). MORE INFORMATION ================ This behavior is by design, though it is not currently documented as such. The following code demonstrates this behavior: .486 .486 .MODEL FLAT .CODE menu_list macro item1,item2,item3,item4,item5,item6,item7 endm menu_list <'ACTION1','ACTION1','ACTION1','ACTION1'>,\ <'ACTION2','ACTION2','ACTION2','ACTION2'>,\ <'ACTION3','ACTION3','ACTION3','ACTION3'>,\ <'ACTION4','ACTION4','ACTION4','ACTION4'>,\ <'ACTION5','ACTION5','ACTION5','ACTION5'>,\ <'ACTION6','ACTION6','ACTION6','ACTION6'>,\ <'ACTION7','ACTION7','ACTION7','ACTION7'> end This is the message MASM returns upon compiling this sample: Microsoft (R) Macro Assembler Version 6.11 Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp 1981-1994. All rights reserved. Assembling: test.asm test.asm(9) : error A2041: string or text literal too long Additional query words: 6.11 ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbMASMsearch kbAudDeveloper kbMASM611 Version : :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.