Using "Data" as a Variable Name

ID Number: Q23580

1.25-5.00

MS-DOS

buglist4.00

Problem:

When a program uses "data" as a variable but never

declares "data" as a variable, MASM does not flag it as

incorrect usage.

Response:

We do not recommend using "data" as a variable name, now

or in the future. The problem occurred when MASM was

rewritten in "C", and changing MASM to allow "data" as a

variable name at this time could be difficult. "Data" most

probably will be added to the list of "Reserved Words" not

to be used as variable names.

".DATA" is a reserved word since Version 5.00; "DATA" is

not.