Q34981: "Expected End of Statement," Line Label with Leading Numeric

Article: Q34981
Product(s): See article
Version(s): 4.00 4.00b 4.50
Operating System(s): MS-DOS
Keyword(s): ENDUSER | B_BasicCom | mspl13_basic
Last Modified: 12-DEC-1989

QuickBASIC Versions 4.00, 4.00b and 4.50 do not allow a leading
numeric character in a line label. QuickBASIC assumes that any line
label starting with a number to be a line number followed by an
executable statement. If such a line label is entered within the
QuickBASIC Version 4.00 or 4.00b editing environment, an "Expected
End of Statement" error message is displayed. For a detailed
explanation, refer to Page 9 of the "Microsoft QuickBASIC Compiler
4.0: BASIC Language Reference" manual.

This information applies to Microsoft QuickBASIC Versions 4.00, 4.00b,
and 4.50 for MS-DOS, to Microsoft BASIC Compiler Versions 6.00 and
6.00b for MS-DOS and MS OS/2, and to Microsoft BASIC PDS Version 7.00
for MS-DOS and MS OS/2.

QuickBASIC Version 3.00 does allow leading numbers in a line label. To
convert a QuickBASIC Version 3.00 program to QuickBASIC Version 4.00,
4.00b or 4.50, select the Change option in the Search menu to replace
all occurrences of the improper label with a valid line label or line
number.

The following program generates an "Expected End of Statement" error:

PRINT "hello"
GOTO 2line
2line:
        PRINT "goodbye"

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