DOCUMENT:Q74221 04-MAY-2001 [masm] TITLE :FIX: COMM Directive Produces Error If Count Field Not Specified PRODUCT :Microsoft Macro Assembler PROD/VER:MS-DOS:6.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM), version 6.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== The Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM) version 6.0 will produce a syntax error when multiple variables (separated by commas) are listed following a COMM directive if any variable, except the last one in the list, does not have a count field specified. For example, assembling sample code #1 with MASM 6.0 produces the following error: error A2008: syntax error: dec When assembling sample code #2, MASM 6.0 produces this error: error A2008: syntax error: inc RESOLUTION ========== The following methods may be used to work around these problems: 1. Place the count field with each variable specified. For example: COMM NEAR var1:word:1,var2:word:1,var3:word:3 -or- 2. Make multiple COMM statements. For example: COMM NEAR var1:word COMM NEAR var2:word STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in MASM version 6.0. This problem was corrected in MASM version 6.0a. MORE INFORMATION ================ The sample code below illustrates this problem. MASM version 5.1 and 5.1a assemble the code without any errors. According to the BNF Grammar in Appendix B of the "Microsoft Macro Assembler Programmer's Guide," this should also assemble correctly with MASM version 6.0. Sample Code #1 -------------- ; Assemble options needed: none .MODEL small .DATA COMM NEAR var1:WORD, var2:WORD ; This doesn't work ; COMM NEAR var1:WORD:1, var2:WORD ; This works END Sample Code #2 -------------- ; Assemble options needed: none .MODEL small .DATA COMM NEAR var1:WORD, var2:WORD, var3:WORD ; This doesn't work ; COMM NEAR var1:WORD:1, ; var2:WORD:1, var3:WORD:1 ; This works END Additional query words: 6.00 buglist6.00 fixlist6.00a ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbMASMsearch kbAudDeveloper kbMASM600 Version : MS-DOS:6.0 Solution Type : kbfix ============================================================================= 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.