Microsoft KB Archive/72887

= FIX: Using a Higher Processor Directive in a Macro Causes A2006 =

Article ID: 72887

Article Last Modified on 10/22/2003

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Macro Assembler 6.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Macro Assembler 6.0a
 * Microsoft Macro Assembler 6.0b

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This article was previously published under Q72887



SYMPTOMS
When you attempt to use a symbol in your assembly code without defining it first, the Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM) generates the following error:

error A2006: undefined symbol : 'identifier'

However, MASM may also incorrectly generate this error when you use a processor directive in a macro if the processor specified is higher than the one currently defined.



RESOLUTION
To work around the problem, declare a processor type of sufficient level to execute the instructions in the macro before calling the macro. The comment in the sample code below demonstrates this by declaring the .286 directive before the macro is called.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in MASM versions 6.0, 6.0a, and 6.0b. This problem was corrected in MASM for MS-DOS version 6.1.



MORE INFORMATION
The sample code below may be used to illustrate this problem. The default processor directive is .8086. When the macro is called, a LEAVE instruction is used that requires the .286 processor. However, with the .286 directive in the macro definition, the following error is generated by the assembler:

file.asm(14): error A2006: undefined symbol : s my_proc(2): Macro Called From file.asm(14): Main Line Code

Sample Code
;Assemble options needed: /c

.MODEL small .8086
 * .286   ;Uncomment this directive for workaround.

my_proc MACRO s   .286 enter s, 0 .8086 ENDM

.STACK 4096

.CODE start: my_proc 5 mov ax, 4C00h int 21h END start

Additional query words: 6.00 6.00a 6.00b buglist6.00 buglist6.00a buglist6.00b fixlist6.10

Keywords: kbfix KB72887

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