Q30313: BC.EXE "Syntax Error" Instead of CONST "Duplicate Definition"

Article: Q30313
Product(s): See article
Version(s): 4.00 4.00b 4.50
Operating System(s): MS-DOS
Keyword(s): ENDUSER | B_BasicCom buglist4.00 buglist4.00b buglist4.50 | mspl13_basic
Last Modified: 20-SEP-1990

You will receive the message "Syntax Error" instead of "Duplicate
Definition" if you use the same name for a CONST and a variable when
using BC.EXE.

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in QuickBASIC versions
4.00, 4.00b, and 4.50; in Microsoft BASIC Compiler versions 6.00 and
6.00b for MS-DOS and MS OS/2 (buglist6.00, buglist6.00b); and in
Microsoft BASIC Professional Development System (PDS) versions 7.00
and 7.10 for MS-DOS and MS OS/2 (buglist7.00, buglist7.10). We are
researching this problem and will post new information here as it
becomes available.

When the following sample program is run inside the QB.EXE or QBX.EXE
editor, you receive the expected "Duplicate Definition" error on the
CONST statement. The same line produces a "Syntax Error" message when
compiled using BC.EXE.

QuickBASIC version 3.00 produces the error message "Constant
assignment illegal" when compiled inside the QB.EXE editor or from the
DOS command line.

The following sample program demonstrates the inconsistent error
message:

   'If this is compiled in the editor you get a "Duplicate Definition"
   'If this is compiled with BC.EXE you get a "Syntax Error"
   a = 5
   CONST a = 6

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