FIX: A2006: Phase Error Using EQU in An IFNDEF Block

 Last reviewed: September 11, 1997
Article ID: Q40452
5.10 | 5.10 MS-DOS | OS/2 kbtool kbfixlist kbbuglist

The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Macro Assembler for MS-DOS and OS/2, version 5.1

SYMPTOMS

When using an equate in an ifndef block, the following error is generated 

   A2006: phase error between passes

CAUSE

On pass 1 if the symbol is not defined, it gets defined. On pass 2 it is defined; therefore, you get a phase error.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in MASM versions 5.0, 5.1, and 5.1a. The problem was corrected in MASM version 6.0.

RESOLUTION

When using the equate, specify a size (with WORD PTR, for example).

MORE INFORMATION

The following sample code demonstrates the problem. In order to work around the problem change 

   MOV bx, SAVE
to the following 

   MOV bx, WORD PTR SAVE

Sample Code:

;Assemble options needed: none

ifndef SAVE 

   SAVE EQU 1
endif

code SEGMENT 

   assume cs:code

   MOV bx, SAVE
endcode:

code ENDS 

    END

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

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Last reviewed: September 11, 1997
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