Microsoft KB Archive/11910

= PRB: SIZE Operator Value =

Article ID: 11910

Article Last Modified on 2/11/2004

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Macro Assembler 4.0
 * Microsoft Macro Assembler 5.0
 * Microsoft Macro Assembler 5.1 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Macro Assembler 6.0 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q11910



SYMPTOMS
When trying to get the length of a text string, using the SIZE operator can produce undesired results. In the example below, MSG_LEN is set to a value of 1, but it seems it should be set to a value of 11: MSG DB 'Darth Vader' MSG_LEN EQU SIZE MSG



CAUSE
The value of MSG_LEN should be 1. The SIZE operator is defined to be the LENGTH * TYPE as stated in the documentation. The expression, LENGTH MSG, will be equal to 1 (when applied to a data label, the LENGTH operator returns the number of elements created by the DUP operator; otherwise it returns 1) and the expression, TYPE MSG, will be equal to 1. Therefore, the variable MSG_LEN will be equal to 1.



RESOLUTION
In Macro Assembler version 6.0, the SIZEOF operator can be used to calulate the total number of bytes allocated to a data item. In versions prior to 6.0, a simple way to calculate the value you want is as follows: MSG DB 'Darth Vader' MSG_LEN EQU $-MSG

Additional query words: 4.00 5.00 5.10 6.00

Keywords: KB11910

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