Q38069: "Division By Zero" Dynamic, Fixed-Length STRING*1, 64K+ Array

Article: Q38069
Product(s): See article
Version(s): 4.00 4.00b 4.50
Operating System(s): MS-DOS
Keyword(s): ENDUSER | buglist4.00 buglist4.00b buglist4.50 B_BasicCom | mspl13_basic
Last Modified: 13-DEC-1989

A DIM statement gives the following error at run time when you
dimension a dynamic, fixed-length STRING*1 array 64K or larger (which
requires compiling with the /AH option):

   "Division by zero"

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in QuickBASIC Versions
4.00, 4.00b, and 4.50 and in Microsoft BASIC Compiler Versions 6.00
and 6.00b for MS-DOS and MS OS/2 (buglist6.00, buglist6.00b). The
"Division by zero" error occurs both in the QB.EXE editor and in a
compiled .EXE program. This problem was corrected in Microsoft BASIC
PDS Version 7.00 (fixlist7.00).

This problem does not occur with static fixed-length STRING*1 arrays,
or any static or dynamic array smaller than 64K.

The following is a code example:

' This program must be compiled with the /AH option.
' A static array (limited to 64K or smaller) is ok:
DIM darray(1 TO 4096, 1 TO 16) AS STRING * 1
REM $DYNAMIC
' A dynamic, STRING*1, 64K+ array gives "DIVISION BY ZERO" at run time:
DIM carray(1 TO 4096, 1 TO 16) AS STRING * 1

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