MASM Version 8.00.50215.44

[noesisdg]

A new version of MASM (v8.00.50215.44) is available with the free MS Visual Studio 8 Beta 2 that was just released. For some reason it errors out on windows.inc as follows:

Microsoft (R) Macro Assembler Version 8.00.50215.44
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

Assembling: C:\masm32\examples\EXAMPLE9\SMALLWIN\SMALLWIN.asm
\masm32\include\windows.inc(14142) : error A2138: invalid data initializer
_
Assembly Error
Press any key to continue . . .

Line 14142 in my version of MASM32 is:

    rImport ImportRec <>

I don't know if there are any other errors, until I find a work around for the above.

I'm not sure of a specific advantage for using the latest version of MASM, other than support for the latest processor OP CODES.

Dave

[hutch--]

ML version 8 is still in beta and full of bugs. If you want to write effective assembler using ML, use versions up to 7.10.

[noesisdg]

Thanks for the tip Hutch. You wouldn't have thought that MS could "bug up" a product like MASM, with as many versions as it has gone through. They can't be adding that much new functionality to the assembler.

Dave

[hutch--]

Dave,

They are adding 64 bit support for it and while it will probably end up OK, there was some debate as to whether they would support the high level constructs like INVOKE, block .IF syntax and the REPEAT and WHILE loop syntax. For 32 bit, late version like 7.00 and 7.10 are fine and can do it all. Not sure about SSE3 but that can be tweaked with a macro or two anyway.

The main changes seem to be the extra complexity with the calling conventions for x86 64 and it will have to manage the extra registers and the like.

[Siekmanski]

Hello noesisdg

Try replacing this line:

    rImport ImportRec <>

In this line:

     rImport RECORD Reserved : 11,NameType : 3,Type2 : 2

Greetings Siekmanski

[Vortex]

I downloaded the express beta2 package but I doesn't containt the assembler V8

[mariø]

ml.exe(8.0.50215.44) is in VC\Bin directory.

[Mark Jones]

Hutch, if 64-bit ML omits our high-level syntax, can we implement an equivalent in macro form instead?

[hutch--]

Mark,

Last I heard they will support at least some of the high level syntax with PROTO/PROC/INVOKE and the .IF block code. The loop code is no great loss. Usually once they start putting this stuff in, it will all end up there eventually.

[pbrennick]

Mario,
I, also, downloaded the express beta2 package.  ML.EXE is not in the VC\Bin directory or anywhere else for that matter.  I wonder why?  The original beta has it.

Paul

[mariø]

I have the beta2 by ordering the dvd in https://www.getthebetas.com/
maybe the express version ommits this (very important) file???
very very stranger...

[Vortex]

Hi mariø,

You have the complete package including the IDE. I downloaded the setup package without the IDE maybe this is the reason why I couldn't find ml.exe V8

[pbrennick]

Hi mariø,
Thank you for the link.  I have ordered the CD, this should satisfy my curiousity.  You know, another day, another toy...

Paul