## FIX: MASM Local Variables Unavailable in CodeView 4.0x

Q100426

The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft CodeView for MS-DOS

## SYMPTOMS

An attempt to display the local variables of an assembly language module created in Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM) version 6.1 may fail. MASM displays one of the following messages when you attempt to display a local variable either in the command window or in the locals window:

> CAN0030: Error: expression cannot be evaluated

> -or-

> CXX0030: Error: expression cannot be evaluated

The actual error message depends on the expression evaluator (C or C++) CodeView is using at the time.

## CAUSE

Apparently, this problem is caused by CodeView incorrectly initializing memory. It occurs only after certain programs run, particularly those that use extended memory. Because MASM 6.1 is a DOS-extended application, the error occurs when CodeView runs after the assembler.

## RESOLUTION

At present, there are two methods to work around this problem.

- Reset memory before running CodeView. On a machine that runs only MS-DOS, you must reboot your computer. On a machine that runs an MS-DOS session in Microsoft Windows, close the MS-DOS window and open another to reset memory.
-or-
- Open a memory window to display the storage location of the local variable. There are three methods available to determine the address of the variable, as follows:
  - Calculate an offset from the base pointer (BP+<offset>) as shown in the Locals window.
  - Add a watch on the address of the variable (&<variable>).
  - Type the command ? &<variable> in the Command window to display the address.
  - Enter the address in the address field of a Memory window to display the desired location.

## STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in CodeView versions 4.0 and 4.01 for MS-DOS. This problem was corrected in CodeView version 4.1 distributed with Microsoft Visual C++ version 1.0 for Windows.

## MORE INFORMATION

If you have Visual C++, use LINK version 5.5 and CVPACK version 4.1 from the Visual C++ package with CodeView version 4.1 to debug applications developed in MASM version 6.1.
You can use the Watch window to view global variables without any difficulties. The following code example illustrates the problem with local variables and allows you to experiment with the Memory window to watch the local variable. If you use CodeView to debug this application immediately after you start your computer or immediately after opening an MS-DOS window in Windows, the error does not occur. If you run CodeView after running MASM 6.1, it will not evaluate the local variable.

### Sample Code

    ; Assembly options needed: /Zi

    .model small
    .stack
    .data
    a WORD ?

    .code
    mainproc PROC NEAR

            .STARTUP
            mov ax,30h
            mov a, ax
            mov ax, 0
            call myproc
            mov ax, a
            .EXIT

    mainproc ENDP

    myproc PROC NEAR
    LOCAL loc:WORD

            mov ax, 60h
            mov loc, ax
            mov dx, loc
            mov a, dx
            ret

    myproc ENDP

    END

Additional query words: 4.00

Keywords : kb16bitonly
Issue type :
Technology : kbAudDeveloper kbCodeView kbZNotKeyword3

Last Reviewed: June 26, 2001 © 2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.