Q61483: "Illegal Function Call" CHAINing to Stand Alone, /Fpa, or /Fs

Article: Q61483
Product(s): See article
Version(s): 6.00 6.00b 7.00 7.10 | 6.00 6.00b 7.00 7.10
Operating System(s): MS-DOS | OS/2
Keyword(s): ENDUSER | SR# S900416-144 B_QuickBas | mspl13_basic
Last Modified: 20-SEP-1990

Attempting to CHAIN from an EXE that requires a run-time module to a
stand-alone EXE causes the run-time error "Illegal Function Call" on
the CHAIN statement.

This error message does not occur when CHAINing in the reverse
direction (from a stand-alone EXE to an EXE that requires a run-time
module), or when CHAINing between identical EXE types (both stand
alone, or both run time), or when using the RUN statement instead of
CHAIN.

"Illegal Function Call" also occurs when CHAINing from an EXE that
requires a run-time module to an EXE compiled with a different math
package (/Fpa versus /Fpi; found only in BC.EXE 6.00, 6.00b, 7.00, or
7.10) or compiled with a different string option (/Fs far strings
versus near strings; found only in Microsoft BASIC Professional
Development System (PDS) version 7.00 or 7.10).

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 versions 7.00
and 7.10 for MS-DOS and MS OS/2.

When transferring control to an EXE with a different run-time module,
the RUN statement is the preferred method. RUN makes no attempt to
preserve any values on the transfer, whereas CHAIN tries to maintain
COMMON variables. The CHAIN statement should be used only when
transferring control to another BASIC program that uses the same BASIC
run-time library as the one being CHAINed from.

Code Example
------------

The following code example produces an "Illegal Function Call" on the
CHAIN statement when the two programs are compiled as indicated:

   'A.BAS
   'Compile and link lines:
   '   BC A;
   '   LINK A;
   CHAIN "B"         'RUN does not cause the error
   END

   'B.BAS
   'Compile and link lines:
   '   BC /o B;
   '   LINK B;
   PRINT "In Program B"

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.