KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q40452: FIX: A2006: Phase Error Using EQU in An IFNDEF Block

Article: Q40452
Product(s): Microsoft Macro Assembler
Version(s): MS-DOS:5.1
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 04-MAY-2001

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM), 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 query words: 5.10 buglist5.00 buglist5.10 buglist5.10a fixlist6.00

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbMASMsearch kbAudDeveloper kbMASM510
Version           : MS-DOS:5.1
Solution Type     : kbfix

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.