Microsoft(R) Macro Assembler Package
Version 5.10
Copyright 1988, Microsoft Corporation
Text files on the Macro Assembler disks are tabbed to save
disk space. If your printer does not automatically handle
tabs during printing, you must use a print program that
expands tabs. For example, use the DOS PRINT program to print
this and other document or source files on the disk.
The Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM)
Mixed-Language Support for Variables and Procedures
---------------------------------------------------
All EXTRN, PUBLIC, and PROC items, as well as uses of the .MODEL
directive, support a language type. The language type of EXTRN
and PUBLIC variables determine whether or not an underscore is
prefixed to the name (an underscore is prefixed only for variables
with a C language type), and the language type of a procedure determines
its calling and naming conventions. For an explanation of calling
and naming conventions, see the Microsoft Mixed-Language Programming
Guide.
The language type consists of the word "C" or "Pascal" and uses the
following syntax (lowercase items are placeholders, and bracketed items
are optional):
EXTRN [<langtype>] <varname>:<type>
PUBLIC [<langtype>] <varname>
procName PROC [NEAR|FAR] [<langtype>] [USES <regs>,] <args>
For example, the C and Pascal keywords are used correctly in the
following example:
.MODEL SMALL,C
EXTRN Pascal DosOpen:FAR
PUBLIC C myVar
myOpen PROC Pascal fName:PTR, mode:WORD
.
.
.
myOpen ENDP
EVEN and ALIGN Directives
-------------------------
Padding for EVEN and ALIGN is now optimized. Data segments
are padded with zeros. Code segments are padded with special
two-byte NOP instructions where possible. The two-byte NOP
consists of the instruction XCHG BX,BX (87 DB hexadecimal)
which is executed faster than two one-byte NOP instructions.
/B Option Ignored
-----------------
The /B option is now ignored, because its effect is irrelevant,
given the new file buffering mechanism. However, the option is
still accepted for the purposes of compatibility.
The PTR Operator
----------------
The PTR operator can be used to specify the size of a
register indirect operand for a CALL or JMP instruction.
However, the size cannot be specified with NEAR or FAR. Use
WORD or DWORD instead. (In 80386 32-bit segments, use DWORD
or FWORD.) Examples are shown below:
; 8086, 80826, or 80386 16-bit mode
jmp WORD PTR [bx] ; Legal near jump
call NEAR PTR [bx] ; Illegal near call
call DWORD PTR [bx] ; Legal far call
jmp FAR PTR [bx] ; Illegal far jump
; 80386 32-bit mode only
jmp DWORD PTR [bx] ; Legal near jump
call NEAR PTR [bx] ; Illegal near call
call FWORD PTR [bx] ; Legal far call
jmp FAR PTR [bx] ; Illegal far jump
This limitation only applies to register indirect operands.
NEAR or FAR can be applied to operands associated with
labels. Examples are shown below:
jmp NEAR PTR pointer[bx] ; Legal
call FAR PTR location ; Legal
Assembler Behavior Change
-------------------------
Some errors and questionable practices that were ignored by
earlier versions are now flagged as errors. As a result,
existing source code may produce errors or warnings.
The following are examples:
- Labels defined only during pass 1 cause errors if
used in expressions.
- A CS ASSUME that changes from pass 1 to pass 2 causes
an error.
- Constants are now checked for type overflow.
- Reserved words used as labels produce warnings.
- The OFFSET operator used with a constant causes an error.
The STACK Combine Type
----------------------
The description of the STACK combine type in Section 5.2.2.3
does not explain how multiple initialized stack segments are
combined. The total size of the stack is the total size of
all stack definitions. LINK puts initialized data for each
defined stack segment at the end of the stack. Data initialized
in the last segment linked override data initialized in
previous segments. This behavior is usually not relevant, since
most programs only define one stack of uninitialized data.
Stack data cannot be initialized with simplified segment
directives.
Clarification of Parsing Error
------------------------------
The following error can be difficult to interpret because of the
way the assembler parses (analyzes) source code:
A2015: Symbol already different kind: <name>
Typically, the assembler generates this error message when a
symbol is used in a way inconsistent with how it was declared: for
example, a symbol is declared as an external absolute but then used
as a local code label. However, the assembler also generates this
error when a symbol in the second source-code field can be interpreted
as either an operation or an operand. The following example illustrates
this problem:
SYM1 MACRO structName, varName
varName structName <>
ENDM
SYM2 STRUCT
field1 DB
field2 DW
SYM2 ENDS
SYM1 SYM2, <mylabel>
The last line of code causes error A2015 to be generated. The
assembler first looks at the second field of the line, which
contains the symbol SYM2. Since SYM2 is a structure, the assembler
considers SYM2 to be an operation rather than an operand, and therefore
it considers SYM1 to be a label (rather than an operation). The way
to avoid this error is simply code the instruction as:
SYM1 <SYM2>, <mylabel>
HIGH and LOW Operators
----------------------
The HIGH and LOW operators work reliably only with constants
and with offsets to external symbols. HIGH and LOW operations are
not supported for offsets to local symbols.
Mixed-Mode Programming (386 Only)
---------------------------------
When assembling code for .386 mode, the assembler now supports direct-
addressing modes between segments with different USE sizes. (Segments can
have the USE16 or USE32 attribute; these attributes refer to the default
size of offsets.) Direct-addressing references to labels in other segments
are correctly resolved. In the following example, the assembler correctly
uses a 32-bit offset to access the data at label a32:
.386
SEG32 SEGMENT USE32
a32 DD ?
SEG32 ENDS
SEG16 SEGMENT USE16
assume ds:seg32
mov eax,a32
SEG16 ENDS
You can also execute a CALL or a JMP to a label in a segment with a
different USE size. However, the label must be declared FAR, and the
CALL or JMP must not be a forward reference. The following example
shows the correct method for executing such a CALL or JMP:
.386
COD16 SEGMENT USE16 'CODE'
proc16 PROC FAR
ret
proc16 ENDP
lab16 LABEL FAR
COD16 ENDS
COD32 SEGMENT USE32 'CODE'
call proc16
jmp lab16
COD32 ENDS
Additional Error Messages
-------------------------
19 Wrong type of register
The register specified in the operand field was incompatible with the
directive or instruction in the operation field. For example, the following
instruction causes this error because you cannot increment the
code segment:
inc cs
36 Extra NOP inserted
During pass 1 the assembler did not have enough information to
correctly infer the length of the encoding for the instruction.
During pass 2 the encoding was found to be shorter than the space
allocated from pass 1, so one or more NOP instructions were inserted
as padding. It may be possible to generate a smaller amount of code
by eliminating a forward reference to a symbol.
The Microsoft Cross-Reference Utility (CREF)
New Feature
-----------
Cross-reference listing files created with CREF now have an
additional symbol. A line number followed by + indicates
that a symbol is modified at the given line. For example:
TST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134# 237 544+
The symbol TST is defined at line 134, used at line 237, and
modified at line 544.
The Mouse Driver
If you use the Microsoft Mouse with the Microsoft CodeView(R) debugger
you must have Version 6.0 or later of the Microsoft Mouse. If you do not, use
the version of the MOUSE.COM driver provided in this package. Copy MOUSE.COM
to the appropriate mouse directory. When you are ready to use the mouse, type
mouse
at the DOS command level. If you want to install the mouse driver automatically
every time you reboot, insert the "mouse" command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
Note that in earlier releases of Microsoft C, both the MOUSE.SYS and the
MOUSE.COM driver were provided. If you have been using an earlier version
of the MOUSE.SYS driver, delete the following line from your CONFIG.SYS file:
device=<directory>mouse.sys
where <directory> is the directory where the earlier mouse driver resides.
Microsoft CodeView Debugger
New Command-Line Option
-----------------------
If you have an IBM Personal System/2, then you can use the /50
command-line option to start the CodeView debugger in 50-line mode.
Note that you must be in 25-line mode to effectively use either the
/43 or /50 command-line option.
CONFIG.SYS Setting for CVP
--------------------------
To run the protected-mode CodeView debugger (CVP.EXE), you must have
the following line in your CONFIG.SYS file:
IOPL=YES
Using the 7 Command in Protected Mode
-------------------------------------
If you are using OS/2 protected mode and have a math coprocessor, then
you need to use a patch before you can use the CVP 7 command. To apply
the patch, use the OS2PATCH.EXE and PTRACE87.PAT files that come on the
same disk that CVP.EXE comes on. You also need to locate the PATCH.EXE file
that comes with OS/2 and make sure that this file is in a directory listed
in your PATH environment variable. Then follow these steps:
1) Change the current drive and directory to the root directory of the
boot disk. (If the boot disk is a floppy, make sure it is inserted
in the drive you used to boot from.)
2) Give the following command line at the DOS prompt:
OS2PATCH /A PTRACE87.PAT
Note that you may need to give the complete path names for the
OS2PATCH.EXE and for the PTRACE87.PAT file. You do not need to give
a path name for the OS2PATCH.EXE file if you have placed this file
in a directory listed in your PATH environment variable.
Using the Real-Mode Debugger in the Compatibility Box
-----------------------------------------------------
When running the real-mode CodeView debugger in the DOS 3.x
compatibility box, start the debugger with the /S command-line
option. Otherwise, the mouse pointer will not appear.
Using the CodeView Debugger with BIND
-------------------------------------
The real-mode CodeView debugger cannot debug bound (dual-mode)
applications. However, the protected-mode CodeView debugger,
CVP, can debug bound applications.
Expression Evaluator for BASIC Programs
---------------------------------------
In the BASIC expression evaluator, "+" is not supported for string
concatenation.
Stack Trace Command
-------------------
In order for the Stack Trace command (or the Calls menu) to work
reliably, you need to execute to at least the beginning of the main
function or procedure, and the current module should have full CodeView
information (a module has full CodeView information if compiled or
assembled with /Zi).
Error Messages
--------------
The error message "? cannot display" indicates that the Display
Expression command (?) has been passed a valid symbol that it
cannot display. In previous versions of the debugger, structures
could not be displayed. With current version of the debugger, only
the enums type cannot be displayed.
The error message "Expression not a memory address" occurs when
the Tracepoint command is given without a symbol that evaluates to
a single memory address. For example, the commands "TP?1" and
"TP?a+b" each produce this error message. The proper way to put a
tracepoint on the word at address 1 is with the command "TPW 1".
The error message "Function call before 'main'" occurs when you
attempt to evaluate a program-defined function before you have entered
the main function. Execute to at least to the beginning of the main
function before attempting to evaluate program-defined functions.
The error message "Bad emulator info" occurs when CodeView cannot
read data from the floating-point emulator.
The error message "Floating point not loaded" has a special meaning
for CVP (in addition to the explanation given in the CodeView and
Utilities manual). Each thread has its own floating-point emulator.
This message is issued when the current thread has not initialized
its own emulator.
Microsoft Pascal Programs
-------------------------
In this release, Microsoft Pascal programs cannot be debugged with
the CodeView debugger.
Exit Codes for Utilities
The exit codes for LINK and the utilities in the Microsoft CodeView
and Utilities manual should appear as follows:
LINK
----
Code Meaning
0 No error.
2 Program error--something was wrong with the commands
or files input to the linker.
4 System error. The linker
- ran out of space on output files
- was unable to reopen the temporary file
- experienced an internal error
- was interrupted by the user
LIB, EXEPACK, EXEMOD, MAKE, and SETENV
---------------------------------------
Code Meaning
0 No error.
2 Program error--something was wrong with the commands
or files input to the utility.
4 System error. The utility ran out of memory, was
interrupted by the user, or experienced an internal
error.
Microsoft Overlay Linker (LINK)
Overlay Restrictions
--------------------
You cannot use long jumps (using the longjmp library function) or indirect
calls (through a function pointer) to pass control to an overlay. When a
function is called through a pointer, the called function must be in the same
overlay or in the root.
Changed LINK Error Messages
---------------------------
The explanation for fatal-error message L1008 is changed as follows:
The /SEGMENTS option specified a limit greater than 3072 on the
number of segments allowed.
Error message L1009 has been changed to read as follows:
L1009 <number> : CPARMAXALLOC : illegal value
Error message L1053 has been changed to read as follows:
L1053 out of memory for symbol table
The program had more symbolic information (such as public, external,
segment, group, class, and file names) than the amount that could fit
in available real memory.
Try freeing memory by linking from the DOS command level instead of
from a MAKE file or from an editor. Otherwise, combine modules or
segments and try to eliminate as many public symbols as possible.
Warning message L4050 has been changed as follows:
L4050 too many public symbols for sorting
The linker uses the stack and all available memory in the
near heap to sort public symbols for the /MAP option. If
the number of public symbols exceeds the space available
for them, this warning is issued, and the symbols are not
sorted in the map file but are listed in arbitrary order.
New LINK Error Messages
-----------------------
L1003 /QUICKLIB, /EXEPACK incompatible
You cannot link with both the /QU option and the /E option.
L1006 <option-text>: stack size exceeds 65535 bytes
The value given as a parameter to the /STACKSIZE option exceeds the
maximum allowed.
L1063 out of memory for CodeView information
The linker was given too many object files with debug information,
and the linker ran out of space to store it. Reduce the number
of object files that have debug information.
L1115 /QUICKLIB, overlays incompatible
You specified overlays and used the /QUICKLIB option.
These cannot be used together.
L2013 LIDATA record too large
An LIDATA record contained more than 512 bytes. This is
probably a compiler error.
L2024 <name>: special symbol already defined
Your program defined a symbol name that is already used by the linker
for one of its own low-level symbols. (For example, the linker
generates special symbols used in overlay support and other operations.)
Choose another name for the symbol in order to avoid conflict.
L2025 <segmentname>: segment with > 1 class name not allowed with /INC
Your program defined a segment more than once, giving the segment
different class names. Different class names for the same segment
are not allowed when you link with the /INCREMENTAL option. Normally,
this error should never appear unless you are programming with MASM.
For example, if you give the two MASM statements
_BSS segment 'BSS'
and
_BSS segment 'DATA'
then the statements have the effect of declaring two distinct segments.
ILINK does not support this situation, so it is disallowed when the
/INCREMENTAL option is used.
L2041 stack plus data exceed 64K
The total of near data and requested stack size exceeds 64K,
and the program will not run correctly. Reduce the stack size.
The linker only checks for this condition if /DOSSEG
is enabled, which is done automatically in the library
startup module.
L2043 Quick Library support module missing
When creating a Quick library, you did not link with the required
QUICKLIB.OBJ module.
L2044 <name> : symbol multiply defined, use /NOE
The linker found what it interprets as a public-symbol
redefinition, probably because you have redefined a symbol that
is defined in a library. Relink with the /NOEXTDICTIONARY
(/NOE) option. If error L2025 results for the same symbol, then you
have a genuine symbol-redefinition error.
L4003 intersegment self-relative fixup at <offset> in segment <name>
pos: <offset> Record type: 9C target external '<name>'
The linker found an intersegment self-relative fixup. This error
may be caused by compiling a small-model program with the /NT
option.
L4034 more than 239 overlay segments; extra put in root
Your program designated more than the limit of 239 segments to
go in overlays. Starting with the 234th segment, they are assigned to
the root (that is, the permanently resident portion of the program).
Microsoft Library Manager (LIB)
New Option
----------
There is a new option for LIB: /NOIGNORECASE (abbreviated as /N).
This option tells LIB to not ignore case when comparing symbols.
names. By default, LIB ignores case. Multiple symbols that are
the same except for case can be put in the same library. An
example of this is: "_Open" and "_open". Normally you could not
add both these symbols to the same library.
Note that if a library is built with /NOI, the library is
internally "marked" to indicate /NOI. All libraries built
with earlier versions of LIB are not marked.
If you combine multiple libraries, and any one of them is
marked /NOI, then /NOI is assumed for the output library.
In addition, LIB also supports the option /IGNORECASE (/I), which
is completely analogous to /NOIGNORECASE. /I is the default. The only
reason to use it would be if you have an existing library marked /NOI
that you wanted to combine with other libraries which were not marked,
and have the output library be not marked. If you don't use
/IGNORECASE, the output is marked /NOI (see above).
Changed LIB Error Messages
--------------------------
Warning messages U4152, U4155, and U4157-U4159 for LIB are now
nonfatal error messages U2152, U2155, and U2157-U2159, respectively.
Warning message U4151 has been changed to read as follows:
U4151 '<name>' : symbol defined in module <name>, redefinition ignored
New LIB Error Messages
----------------------
The following new warning messages have been added for LIB:
U4155 <modulename> : module not in library
A module specified to be replaced does not already exist in the
library. LIB adds the module anyway.
U4157 insufficient memory, extended dictionary not created
U4158 internal error, extended dictionary not created
For the reason indicated, LIB could not create an extended
dictionary. The library is still valid, but the linker
is not able to take advantage of the extended dictionary
to speed linking.
Microsoft Program Maintenance Utility (MAKE)
New Error Message
-----------------
U1015: <file> : error redirection failed
This error occurs if the /X option is given and error output cannot
be redirected to the given file (for example, because the file
is read-only).
Inference Rules
---------------
You cannot have inference rules in both the TOOLS.INI and the description
file that use both the same inextension and outextension. For example, you
cannot place the following inference rule in the TOOLS.INI file:
.c.obj:
cl /c /Zi /Od $*.c
while also placing the following line in the description file:
.c.obj:
cl /Ot $*.c
However, you can define the same macro in both the TOOLS.INI and the
description file. In such cases, the definition in the description file
takes precedence.
Backslash () as Continuation Character
---------------------------------------
Note that MAKE considers a backslash immediately followed by a new-line
character to be a continuation character. When it finds this combination
in a description file, MAKE concatenates the line immediately following
the combination with the line where the combination appears.
If you define a macro that ends in a backslash, make sure that you put a
space after the terminating backslash. For example, if you want to define
macros for the path C:SRCBIN and C:SRCLIB, you must use the format
illustrated below:
BINPATH=C:SRCBIN<space><newline>
LIBPATH=C:SRCLIB<space><newline>
To illustrate the problems that can result if you do not put a space before the
new-line character, assume that the macros above appear as shown below
instead:
BINPATH=C:SRCBIN<newline>
LIBPATH=C:SRCLIB<newline>
Because a new-line character appears immediately after the backslash at the end
of the first macro, MAKE assumes that you are defining the single macro shown
below:
BINPATH=C:SRCBINLIBPATH=C:SRCLIB
Microsoft STDERR Redirection Utility (ERROUT)
The ERROUT utility does not accept batch files. To redirect standard-error
output from a batch file, you must enter a command of the following form:
ERROUT COMMAND /c <batchcommand>
If no /f option is given, then ERROUT redirects standard-error output to
the standard-output device.
Mixed-Language Programming
Setting Up Calls to High-Level Languages
----------------------------------------
Section 6.6 of the Microsoft Mixed-Language Programming Guide gives in-
structions for setting up a call to a high-level language from assembly
language. Before you execute a call to a BASIC, Pascal, or FORTRAN routine,
remember to declare an additional parameter if the return value is noninteger.
This additional parameter must contain the offset address of the return value,
for which you must allocate room within the stack segment (normally DGROUP,
the same as the default data segment).
The BIND Utility
Specifying Libraries
--------------------
You need to include DOSCALLS.LIB on the BIND command line. If
DOSCALLS.LIB is not in the current directory, you must give the
complete path name to DOSCALLS.LIB.
BIND automatically searches for API.LIB by looking in directories
listed in the LIB environment variable. However, if API.LIB is
specified on the command line, then BIND will not check the LIB
environment variable; instead, you will need to give the complete
path name.
For example, the following command line successfully uses BIND, if
API.LIB is located in a directory listed in the LIB environment
variable:
BIND FOO.EXE LIBDOSCALLS.LIB
Using BIND with Packed Files
----------------------------
The version of BIND released with this package does not work with
files that have been linked with the /EXEPACK linker option.
Running Bound Files with DOS 2.1
--------------------------------
A dual-mode executable file produced with BIND can be run in both
DOS 3.x and DOS 2.x environments. However, if you change the name
of an executable file produced by BIND, then it will not run under
DOS 2.1.
The Microsoft Incremental Linker (ILINK)
ILINK Fatal Error Messages
--------------------------
.sym seek error
.sym read error
The .SYM file is corrupted. Do a full link. If the error
persists, contact Microsoft.
.sym write error
The disk is full or the .SYM file already exists with the
READONLY attribute.
map for segment <name> exceeds 64K
The symbolic information associated with the given segment
exceeds 64K bytes, which is more than ILINK can handle.
can't ilink library <name>
You tried to incrementally link an altered library.
ILINK does not link .LIB files but only .OBJ files.
Use a full link instead.
.obj close error
The operating system returned an error when ILINK attempted
to close one of the .OBJ files. Do a full link. If the error
persists, contact Microsoft.
too many LNAMES in <modname>
An object module has more than 255 LNAME records.
too many SEGDEFs in <modname>
The given object module has more than 100 SEGDEF records.
too many GRPDEFs in <modname>
The given object module has more than 10 GRPDEF records.
symbol <name> multiply defined
The given symbol is defined more than once.
#3
Please report this error to Microsoft.
Out of Memory
ILINK ran out of memory for processing the input. If you
are running ILINK under MAKE, try running it from the shell.
Otherwise, do a full link.
could not run exec
ILINK was unable to find the file EXEC.EXE, which should be
placed somewhere in the search path or in the current
directory.
.exe file too big, change alignment
The segment sector alignment value in the .EXE file is too
small to express the size of one of the segments. Do a full
link and increase the alignment value with the /ALIGNMENT
option to LINK.
.ilk seek error
The .ILK file is corrupted. Do a full link. If the error
persists, contact Microsoft.
Too many defined segments
ILINK has a limit of 255 defined segments, which are segments
defined in an object module as opposed to an executable segment.
Reduce the number of segments if you want to use ILINK.
too many library files
ILINK has a limit of 32 runtime libraries (.LIB files). Reduce
the number of libraries.
too many modules
ILINK has a limit of 1204 modules in a program. Reduce the
number of modules.
.ilk write error
The disk is full, or else ILINK cannot write to the .SYM file
because a .SYM file currently exists and has the READONLY attribute.
file <name> does not exist
ILINK was unable to open the given file. The file named was
in the file list in the .ILK file.
seek error on library
A .LIB file was corrupted. Do a full link and check your .LIB
files.
library close error
The operating system returned an error when ILINK attempted
to close one of the .LIB files. Do a full link. If the error
persists, contact Microsoft.
error closing EXE file
The operating system returned an error when ILINK attempted
to close the .EXE file. Do a full link. If the error
persists, contact Microsoft.
Invalid module reference <module>
The program makes a dynamic link reference to a dynamic link
module which is not represented in the .EXE file.
could not update time on <filename>
The operating system returned an error when ILINK attempted
to update the time on the given file. Possibly the file had
the READONLY attribute set.
invalid flag <flag>
only one -e command allowed
The ILINK command syntax is incorrect.
User Abort
The user issued CTRL+C or CTRL+BREAK.
file <name> write protected
The .EXE, .ILK, or .SYM file needed to be updated and has the
READONLY attribute. Change attribute to READWRITE.
file <name> missing
One of the .OBJ files specified on the command line is missing.
file <name> invalid .OBJ format
file <name> has invalid <recordtype> record
The given .OBJ file has an invalid format or one that is not
recognized by ILINK. This may have been caused by a compiler
or assembler.
file <module> was not full linked
An .OBJ file was specified as input to ILINK, which was not in
the list of files in the original full link.
LOBYTE seg-relative fixups not supported
This error message should occur only with MASM files. See the
Microsoft Macro Assembler 5.0 Programmer's Guide. This type of
object module is not supported by ILINK.
<number> undefined symbols
The given number of symbols were referred to in fixups but
never publicly defined in the program.
Incremental Violations
----------------------
These errors cause a full link to occur if the -e option is used and -i
is not used, else they are fatal errors:
symbol <name> deleted
A symbol was deleted from an incrementally-linked module.
<modname> contains new SEGMENT
A segment was added to the program.
<modname> contains changed segment <name>
The segment contribution (code or data which the module
contributes to a segment) changed for the given module: it
contributed to a segment it didn't previously contribute to,
or a contribution was removed.
<modname>'s segment <name> grew too big
The given segment grew beyond the padding for the given module.
<modname> contains new GROUP <name>
A new group was defined, via the GROUP directive in assembly
language or via the /ND C compiler option.
<modname> redefines group <name> to include <name>
The members of the given group changed.
symbol <name> changed
The given data symbol was moved.
can't add new communal data symbol <name>
A new communal data symbol was added as an uninitialized variable
in C or with the COMM feature in MASM.
communal variable <name> grew too big
The given communal variable changed size too much.
invalid symbol type for <name>
A symbol which was previously code became data, or vice versa.
too many COMDEFS
too many EXTDEFS
The limit on the total of COMDEF records (communal data variables)
and EXTDEF records (external references) is 2000.
invalid CodeView information in .EXE file
The CodeView information found is invalid.
<name> contains new Codeview symbolic info
A module previously compiled without -Zi was compiled with -Zi.
<name> contains new linnum info
A module previously compiled without -Zi or -Zd was compiled
with -Zi or -Zd.
<name> contains new public CV info
New information on public-symbol addresses was added.
invalid .exe file
The .EXE file is invalid. Make sure you are using an up-to-date
linker. If the error persists, contact Microsoft.
invalid .ilk file
.ilk read error
.ilk seek error
The .ILK file is invalid. Make sure you are using an up-to-date
linker. If the error persists, contact Microsoft.
.SYM/.ILK mismatch
The .SYM and .ILK files are out of sync. Make sure you are using
an up-to-date linker. If the error persists, contact Microsoft.
<libname> has changed
The given library has changed.
can't link 64K-length segments
ILINK cannot handle segments greater than 65,535 bytes long.
can't link iterated segments
ILINK cannot handle programs linked with /EXEPACK.
Entry table expansion not implemented
The program call tree changed in such a way that ILINK could
not handle it.
file <name> does not exist
The .EXE, .SYM, or .ILK files are missing.
<name> has changed
The given library module name has changed.
ILINK Warning messages
----------------------
Fixup frame relative to an (as yet) undefined symbol - assuming ok
See documentation for LINK error messages L4001 and L4002,
in the Microsoft CodeView and Utilities manual.
<name> contains TYPEDEFs - ignored
<name> contains BLKDEFs - ignored
The .OBJ file contains records no longer supported by Microsoft
language compilers.
old .EXE free information lost
The free list in the .EXE file has been corrupted. The free
list keeps track of "holes" of free space in the EXE file. These
holes are made available when segments are moved to new locations.
file <name> has no useful contribution
The given module makes no contribution to any segment.
Main entry point moved
The program starting address changed. You may want to consider
doing a full link.
Microsoft Editor
Installing the Editor
---------------------
The Microsoft Editor does not come with an MESETUP program. Instead,
run the setup program for the assembler. This program offers you choices
about how to set up the editor.
Keystroke Configurations
------------------------
Some of the keystroke configurations listed in Table A.2 of the
Microsoft Editor User's Guide may need to be changed.
In the Quick/WordStar configuration, the Sinsert function is assigned
to ALT+INS, not CTRL+INS.
In the BRIEF configuration, the Plines function is assigned to CTRL+Z,
and the Refresh function is assigned to CTRL+].
In the EPSILON configuration, the Ppage function is assigned to PGDN,
and the Sdelete function is assigned to DEL and CTRL+D.
The Compile Function
--------------------
The commands
Arg streamarg Compile
Arg textarg Compile
each use the command specified by the extmake:text switch. The
editor does not check the extension of the file name given as an
argument, but instead uses the "text" extension. The streamarg
or textarg replaces a %s in the command. These commands are typically
used to invoke MAKE.
The Setfile Function
--------------------
The commands that use Setfile, along with a streamarg or textarg,
accept a variety of input: either the name of a file, a file name
with a wild-card character (* or ?), the name of a directory, or the
name of a disk drive. File names can also include environment variables,
such as $INIT. If the streamarg or textarg is a directory name, then
the editor changes the current directory. If the argument is a drive
name, then the editor changes the current drive. Environment variables
are translated into directories to be searched for a file. For example,
the following macro directs the editor to search the $INIT environment
variable in order to find the tools.ini file:
tools.ini := Arg "$INIT:tools.ini" Setfile
tools.ini :ctrl+j
Entering Strings in Macros
--------------------------
When you enter a text argument directly, no characters have special
meaning (except when the argument is interpreted as a regular
expression). However, when you enter text as part of a macro, then
strings inside of quotes are interpreted according to the C string
format. This format uses a backslash followed by double quotes (")
to represent double quotes and it uses two backslashes (\) to represent
a single backslash. Therefore, to find the next occurrence of the string
She wrote, "Here is a backslash: "
you could use the following macro definition:
findit := Arg "She wrote, "Here is a backslash: \ "" Psearch
Note that to indicate a backslash for a regular expression that is
also part of a macro definition, you must use four consecutive
backslashes.
Using Text Switches
-------------------
The text switches extmake and readonly each take a special
kind of syntax that allows you to specify drive, file name,
base name, or file extension. The syntax consists of the
characters:
%|<letters>F
where <letters> consists of any of the following: "p" for path,
"d" for drive, "f" for file base name, or "e" for file extension.
For example, if you are editing the file c:dir1sample.c, and you
make the following switch assignment:
extmake:c cl /Fod:%|pfF %|dfeF
then each time you give the command <Arg><Compile>, the editor
performs the following system-level command:
cl /Fod:dir1sample c:sample.c
The expression "%s" is equivalent to "%|feF" except that the former
only works once, whereas the latter can appear any number of times
in the extmake switch assignment. The expression "%|F" is equivalent
to "%|dpfeF".
The Filetab Switch
------------------
The filetab switch is a numeric switch that determines how the
editor translates tabs when loading a file into memory. The value
of the switch gives the number of spaces associated with each tab
column. For example, the setting "filetab:4" assumes a tab column
every 4 positions on each line. Every time the editor finds a tab
character in a file, it loads the buffer with the number of spaces
necessary to get to the next tab column. Depending on the value of
the entab switch, the editor also uses the filetab switch to determine
how to convert spaces into tabs when writing to a file. The default
value of filetab is 8.
Functions Callable by C Extensions
----------------------------------
The following list summarizes functions from the standard compact-
memory-model library, which should work when called by a C-extension
module. (The technique of programming C extensions is presented in
Chapter 8 of the Microsoft Editor User's Guide.) The memory model
of the extension is assumed to be /Asfu (small code pointers, far
data pointers, and stack segment unequal to data segment). This list
uses the function categories from Chapter 4 of the Microsoft C
Optimizing Compiler Run-Time Library Reference (Version 4.0
or later.)
Buffer Manipulation: All functions can be called.
Character Classification and Conversion: All functions can be called.
Data Conversion: All functions can be called except for
strtod()
Directory Control: All functions can be called except for
getcwd()
File Handling: All functions can be called.
Low-Level I/O Routines: All functions can be called, but write()
will not work in binary mode.
Console and Port I/O: All functions can be called except for
cgets()
cprintf()
cscanf()
Searching and Sorting: All functions can be called except for
qsort()
String Manipulation: All functions can be called except for
strdup()
BIOS Interface: All functions can be called.
MS-DOS Interface: All functions can be called except for
int86()
int86x()
Time: All functions can be called except for
ctime()
gmtime()
localtime()
utime()
Miscellaneous: All functions can be called except for
assert()
getenv()
perror()
putenv()
_searchenv()
Linking Extensions in Protected Mode
--------------------------------------
To link C extension modules in protected mode, link with the
object file EXTHDRP.OBJ, instead of the real-mode header
EXTHDR.OBJ.
In this guide you will learn how to install MASM32 on a Windows 10 machine, and also how to modify the Path environment variable to use the MASM tools directly from the command prompt. By the end of the guide you will have an environment to start writing software in assembly.
Let’s begin.
Download MASM for Windows 10
The first thing you need to do is head over to the MASM32 SDK download page. Select a mirror and your download should begin.
Next open up the archive and extract the installer to your desktop.
Installing MASM on Windows 10
Double click on the installer. It will ask for administrator privileges. This application is deemed to be safe so you can safely press yes. After you have granted permissions you will see a dialog similar to the one below:
Click on the install icon on the top left and select the drive you want to use to install MASM. I will select my D: partition. MASM will install all the necessary files to the root directory of whatever partition you select.
Tip: I like to create a separate partition for my assembly projects and install MASM to the root directory of the partition. This makes it much easier to include libraries and includes such as windows.inc and friends.
MASM will proceed to run a bunch of tests to see if you’re computer is compatible and able to run MASM32. You will see a number of dialog boxes appear that require you to press the ok button.
Once the tests are complete press the extract button.
After the extraction has completed you will see another dialog box that informs you a command prompt will appear to complete the installation. Press ok and let the installation finish. It should only take a few moments.
After the installation has finished you will once again see a couple of dialog boxes that require you to press ok. You will also see a different type of dialog box similar to the one below. This runs a VB script to add an icon to your desktop for the MASM editor. If you want an icon on your desktop press yes.
Finally if everything went well you will see the final dialog box telling you the installation is complete.
Don’t run off just yet
I don’t use the default MASM editor. Instead I use Vim, or Sublime. This means I need to call the MASM compiler and linker directly from the command line to build my code. To do this you need to add the location of the MASM32 installation directory to your Path environment variable.
Adding a directory to environment variable Path on Windows 10
Open up the system properties dialog by entering the following command on the command prompt:
sysdm.cpl SystemProperties
Click the advanced tab, and click the Environment Variables button.
Next select the Path item from the list and click Edit.
On the next dialog press New and enter the path to the MASM bin directory. This contains the tools needed to compile and link assembly. For me the path is D:masm32bin. In most cases just change the drive letter if you installed to a different partition. The rest of the path is the same.
Press the ok button, and then then the apply button to save and close the system properties dialog.
Open a new command prompt and enter the following command to run the MASM assembler:
ml
If everything installed correctly and your Path is setup correctly you will see some output similar to the image below:
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All Done!
And that’s all there is to it folks. If you want to hit the ground running check out my guide on how to compile and link MASM assembly to produce an executable on Windows 10.
If you’re having any issues following this guide please leave a comment and I will help you the best I can. You can also check out the official documentation includes detailed installation instructions and FAQ’s to solve common problems.
This utility contains a set of software development tools such as the code editor, compiler, linker, debugger and browser for writing new applications.
Developer:
Microsoft Corporation
Windows version:
Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11
MASM is a Windows tool for developing, compiling and debugging the programming code. New modules are generated using the OMF format first introduced in MS-DOS. It is important to mention that MASM is an obsolete program and no longer supported by the developer. The final version is included in Visual Studio.
Installation
You are instructed to unpack the included IMG file into the root directory of a 3,5 inch diskette. The next step is to restart the computer and adjust the BIOS settings to boot from the floppy drive. All operations are performed via the MS-DOS command line.
Assembler capabilities
With the help of this software users can utilize standard Intel syntax for compiling C applications. There is support for 16, 32 and 64-bit sources. Moreover, the assembler is compatible with hundreds of processor instructions.
It is possible to use shorthand mnemonics for segment descriptors. You can quickly generate real mode executables as well. Advanced memory management parameters are available. The resulting apps are fully compliant with the Visual C++ specification and can be modified in any popular development environment.
Features
- free to download and use;
- offers you instruments for writing, compiling and debugging C applications;
- there is support for 16, 32 and 64-bit sources;
- you can use shorthand mnemonics for segment descriptors;
- compiled apps are compatible with Visual Studio;
- compatible with all modern versions of Windows.
Microsoft AppFabric
Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11 Free
This integrated development platform lets users build, scale and manage web applications that run on IIS. There is support for the ASP.NET environment.
ver 1.1
In Class Translator
Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11 Free
Using this program you can quickly edit class files from JAR archives. It is intended for quickly translating mobile applications to different languages.
ver 1.1
Android Studio
Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11 Free
With the help of this integrated development environment users can create, debug, compile and test applications for the Android mobile operating system.
ver 2022.1.1
Apache Commons Codec
Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11 Free
This specialized utility contains instruments for decoding various data formats such as Base64 or Hexadecimal. There are phonetic encoding tools as well.
ver 1.15
AngularJS
Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11 Free
This development tool can help users extend the basic HTML vocabulary for web applications to create responsive, expressive and readable environments.
ver 1.8
MCreator
Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 Free
Using this utility you can develop modifications for the popular Minecraft video game. It is possible to add new blocks, weapons, characters and other objects.
ver 2022.3
Universal Extractor
Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 Free
Using this simple tool, you are able to decompress files and folders. Moreover, you have the option to save the history of all performed tasks and debugging info.
ver 1.6.1
XULRunner
Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows 11 Free
Using this comprehensive utility, you are able to develop and deploy Mozilla-based applications. It requires advanced programming knowledge to use efficiently.
ver 41.0.2
MASM is an assembler developed and maintained by Microsoft. MASM (8086) won’t run on Windows 7 or newer versions easily whereas it runs well on Windows XP. That is why in this post I am going to show you how to install MASM in Windows.
This tutorial is valid for Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7.
So, Let’s begin.
Here are 5 steps to Install MASM in Windows.
1. Setup DOSBox on your OS
First, you have to download DOS Box for your PC
Visite this link (click here)
Click on Download
Wait 5-second download will start automatically
After that install DOSBox if you have any doubts about how to install DOSBox, Here is a Guide on how to install DOSBox on Windows.
2. Download 8086.rar
Visit this link (click here)
Click on Download
3. Setup 8086.rar
Open the zip file that you downloaded in step 2.
Copy the 8086 folders in drive C:
4. Create Assembly file (.asm)
Open your favorite code editor,
Enter the following code
; Hello World program by 360 Tech Explorer’s
DATAS SEGMENT
STRING DB 'Hello World!',13,10,'$'
DATAS ENDS
CODES SEGMENT
ASSUME CS:CODES,DS:DATAS
START:
MOV AX,DATAS
MOV DS,AX
LEA DX,STRING
MOV AH,9
INT 21H
MOV AH,4CH
INT 21H
CODES ENDS
END START
Save this file with the “.asm” file extension.
5. Run Assembly file (.asm) in Windows
Open DOSBox by clicking on it.
Enter the following command in DOSBox
Z:> mount c c:8086This command will mount 8086 directory as C drive for DOSBox
Then, execute the following command to navigate into drive C
Z:> c:If you want to write a new assembly file, execute the following command
C:> edit file_name.asmIf you already have the Assembly file, follow the following steps
Copy your Assembly file to the “C:/8086” folder (remember the name)
Then execute the following to run that file
C:> masm your_file_here.asm
C:> link your_file_here.obj
C:> your_file_here.exe