FIX: Structure References Using '.' Cause Confusion

Last reviewed: September 10, 1997
Article ID: Q30379

5.10 5.10a MS-DOS kbtool kbfixlist kbbuglist

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Macro Assembler for MS-DOS, versions 5.1 and 5.1a

SYMPTOMS

Variable names in the assembler can begin with the following character:

'.'

Structure references use the character '.' as an add operator. This means the label '.cat' is different than the element 'cat' in a structure. The assembler can become confused distinguishing the two uses in a program, and can generate the following error message:

   Error A2028: Operator expected' occurs on 'mov ax,duck.cat'

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem with MASM versions 5.1 and 5.1a. This problem was corrected in MASM version 6.0.

MORE INFORMATION

Sample Code

       .MODEL SMALL
   mouse  struc
   cat     dw   1
   dog     dw   2
   mouse  ends
       .DATA
   duck    mouse  <>
       .CODE
   start:  mov  ax,@data
           mov  ds,ax
   .cat    dw   4
           mov  ax,duck.cat
    END start

Additional reference words: 5.10 5.10a buglist5.10 buglist5.10a fixlist6.00
KBCategory: kbtool kbfixlist kbbuglist
KBSubCategory: MLIss
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.

Last reviewed: September 10, 1997
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.