<constant> and [<constant>] Are Semantically the Same

 Last reviewed: January 6, 1995
Article ID: Q24962
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Macro Assembler for MS-DOS, versions 1.25, 1.27, 3.0x, 4.0, 5.0, 5.1, 6.0, 6.0a, and 6.0b

While <constant> and [<constant>] are syntactically different (a constant and a constant within brackets), they are semantically the same. For example, the following statement: 

   MOV ax, [100]
will move the value of 100 into ax, not the value that is at address 100.

Another example is using a constant offset in a segment override: 

   MOV ax, ds:100     ; This will access the word at offset 100

   MOV ax, ds:[100]   ; This will do the same thing

Additional reference words: 1.25 1.27 3.0x 4.00 5.00 5.10 6.00 6.00a
6.00b
KBCategory: kbprg
KBSubCategory: MASMLngIss

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.

Last reviewed: January 6, 1995
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.