FIX: Only First LOCAL Variable Generates CodeView Information

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Macro Assembler for MS-DOS, version 5.1

SYMPTOMS

In the Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM) version 5.1, only the first LOCAL variable on a line generates CodeView information. Attempting to put a watch on a LOCAL variable that is not the first LOCAL variable on a line will cause Codeview to display the following message box:

              --------------------------------
             |              ERROR             |
             |         Unknown Symbol         |
             |  Press Any Key to Continue...  |
              --------------------------------

RESOLUTION

To avoid the problem in MASM version 5.1, break up any lines that define more than one LOCAL variable into multiple lines.

STATUS

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

MORE INFORMATION

The following sample code can be used to demonstrate the problem:

Sample Code

; Link options needed:     /CO

    .MODEL small, C    ; A Language specifier is required when using
                       ; the LOCAL directive in MASM 5.1, 5.1A and
                       ; when using QuickAssembler 2.01 and 2.51.
                       ; MASM 6.0 does not require this.

    .CODE

    call  procedure    ; Call the procedure
    mov   ax, 4C00h    ; Exit
    int   21h


    procedure proc

    local     first:word
    local     second:word,third:word

    ; To avoid the problem in MASM 5.1, break the preceding line up
    ; into multiple lines:
    ;
    ; local      second:word
    ; local      third:word

    ret

    procedure endp

    .STACK

    END Start