Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition Service Pack 1 to include ml.exe

[GregL]

According to this, ml.exe 9.0 will be included in Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition Service Pack 1. :thumbu

A beta of SP1 is available now if you are into that.

[Vortex]

Hi Greg,

Thanks for the news :U

[GregL]

I just installed Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Express Edition and it does indeed include ml.exe 9.00.30729.01.  :thumbu 

[Wannabe]

According to the FAQ:

Can I use Express Editions for commercial use?

Yes, there are no licensing restrictions for applications built using Visual Studio Express Editions.

This must be better than the restrictions for the MASM v8.0 download, right?

[GregL]

I read the EULA for the entire package and it says it covers all programs that are included. I don't see a separate EULA for ml.exe.

[hutch--]

An 800 meg download later, opened the x86 file with 7zip file manager, decomtressed it with Winrar and got ML.EXE version 9.0. Searched the internet for MSVCR90.DLL and bingo, it works.

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Microsoft Windows 2000 [Version 5.00.2195]
(C) Copyright 1985-2000 Microsoft Corp.

M:\vs9sp1\ml>ml /?
Microsoft (R) Macro Assembler Version 9.00.30729.01
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

        ML [ /options ] filelist [ /link linkoptions ]

/AT Enable tiny model (.COM file)         /omf generate OMF format object file
/Bl<linker> Use alternate linker          /Sa Maximize source listing
/c Assemble without linking               /safeseh Assert all exception
/Cp Preserve case of user identifiers              handlers are declared
/Cu Map all identifiers to upper case     /Sf Generate first pass listing
/Cx Preserve case in publics, externs     /Sl<width> Set line width
/coff generate COFF format object file    /Sn Suppress symbol-table listing
/D<name>[=text] Define text macro         /Sp<length> Set page length
/EP Output preprocessed listing to stdout /Ss<string> Set subtitle
/F <hex> Set stack size (bytes)           /St<string> Set title
/Fe<file> Name executable                 /Sx List false conditionals
/Fl[file] Generate listing                /Ta<file> Assemble non-.ASM file
/Fm[file] Generate map                    /w Same as /W0 /WX
/Fo<file> Name object file                /WX Treat warnings as errors
/FPi Generate 80x87 emulator encoding     /W<number> Set warning level
/Fr[file] Generate limited browser info   /X Ignore INCLUDE environment path
/FR[file] Generate full browser info      /Zd Add line number debug info
/G<c|d|z> Use Pascal, C, or Stdcall calls /Zf Make all symbols public
/H<number> Set max external name length   /Zi Add symbolic debug info
/I<name> Add include path                 /Zm Enable MASM 5.10 compatibility
/link <linker options and libraries>      /Zp[n] Set structure alignment
/nologo Suppress copyright message        /Zs Perform syntax check only
/errorReport:<option> Report internal assembler errors to Microsoft
    none - do not send report
    prompt - prompt to immediately send report
    queue - at next admin logon, prompt to send report
    send - send report automatically


Have not tried it on any code yet.

You get LINK the same way. I cannot find a resource compiler yet, I wonder if Microsoft no longer supply/use RC.EXE ?

[hutch--]

Here is the enclosed EULA, it seems to be a very similar licence to the old win98ddk licence that alows you to develop and distribute your own code using these tools. It has the same restriction that nothing from the service pack can be used on non-microsoft operating systems which is reasonable enough.

MICROSOFT SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS
MICROSOFT REPORTVIEWER 2008 WITH SERVICE PACK 1
These license terms are an agreement between Microsoft Corporation (or based on where you live, one of its affiliates) and you.  Please read them.  They apply to the software named above, which includes the media on which you received it, if any.  The terms also apply to any Microsoft
*   updates,
*   supplements,
*   Internet-based services, and
*   support services
for this software, unless other terms accompany those items.  If so, those terms apply.
BY USING THE SOFTWARE, YOU ACCEPT THESE TERMS.  IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THEM, DO NOT USE THE SOFTWARE.
If you comply with these license terms, you have the rights below.
1.   INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS.  You may install and use any number of copies of the software on your devices.
2.   ADDITIONAL LICENSING REQUIREMENTS AND/OR USE RIGHTS.
a.   Distributable Code.  You are permitted to distribute the software in programs you develop if you comply with the terms below.
i.   Right to Use and Distribute.  The software is "Distributable Code."
*   Distributable Code.  You may copy and distribute the object code form of the software.
*   Third Party Distribution.  You may permit distributors of your programs to copy and distribute the Distributable Code as part of those programs.
ii.   Distribution Requirements.  For any Distributable Code you distribute, you must
*   add significant primary functionality to it in your programs;
*   require distributors and external end users to agree to terms that protect it at least as much as this agreement;
*   display your valid copyright notice on your programs; and
*   indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Microsoft from any claims, including attorneys' fees, related to the distribution or use of your programs.
iii.   Distribution Restrictions.  You may not
*   alter any copyright, trademark or patent notice in the Distributable Code;
*   use Microsoft's trademarks in your programs' names or in a way that suggests your programs come from or are endorsed by Microsoft;
*   distribute Distributable Code to run on a platform other than the Windows platform;
*   include Distributable Code in malicious, deceptive or unlawful programs; or
*   modify or distribute the source code of any Distributable Code so that any part of it becomes subject to an Excluded License.  An Excluded License is one that requires, as a condition of use, modification or distribution, that
*   the code be disclosed or distributed in source code form; or
*   others have the right to modify it.
3.   SCOPE OF LICENSE.  The software is licensed, not sold. This agreement only gives you some rights to use the software.  Microsoft reserves all other rights.  Unless applicable law gives you more rights despite this limitation, you may use the software only as expressly permitted in this agreement.  In doing so, you must comply with any technical limitations in the software that only allow you to use it in certain ways.    You may not
*   work around any technical limitations in the software;
*   reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble the software, except and only to the extent that applicable law expressly permits, despite this limitation;
*   make more copies of the software than specified in this agreement or allowed by applicable law, despite this limitation;
*   publish the software for others to copy;
*   rent, lease or lend the software; or
*   use the software for commercial software hosting services.
4.   BACKUP COPY.  You may make one backup copy of the software.  You may use it only to reinstall the software.
5.   DOCUMENTATION.  Any person that has valid access to your computer or internal network may copy and use the documentation for your internal, reference purposes.
6.   TRANSFER TO A THIRD PARTY.  The first user of the software may transfer it and this agreement directly to a third party.  Before the transfer, that party must agree that this agreement applies to the transfer and use of the software.  The first user must uninstall the software before transferring it separately from the device.  The first user may not retain any copies.
7.   EXPORT RESTRICTIONS.  The software is subject to United States export laws and regulations.  You must comply with all domestic and international export laws and regulations that apply to the software.  These laws include restrictions on destinations, end users and end use.  For additional information, see www.microsoft.com/exporting.
8.   SUPPORT SERVICES. Because this software is "as is," we may not provide support services for it.
9.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This agreement, and the terms for supplements, updates, Internet-based services and support services that you use, are the entire agreement for the software and support services.
10.   APPLICABLE LAW.
a.   United States.  If you acquired the software in the United States, Washington state law governs the interpretation of this agreement and applies to claims for breach of it, regardless of conflict of laws principles.  The laws of the state where you live govern all other claims, including claims under state consumer protection laws, unfair competition laws, and in tort.
b.   Outside the United States.  If you acquired the software in any other country, the laws of that country apply.
11.   LEGAL EFFECT.  This agreement describes certain legal rights.  You may have other rights under the laws of your country.  You may also have rights with respect to the party from whom you acquired the software.  This agreement does not change your rights under the laws of your country if the laws of your country do not permit it to do so.
12.   DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY.   THE SOFTWARE IS LICENSED "AS-IS."  YOU BEAR THE RISK OF USING IT.  MICROSOFT GIVES NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES, GUARANTEES OR CONDITIONS.  YOU MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL CONSUMER RIGHTS UNDER YOUR LOCAL LAWS WHICH THIS AGREEMENT CANNOT CHANGE.  TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER YOUR LOCAL LAWS, MICROSOFT EXCLUDES THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
13.   LIMITATION ON AND EXCLUSION OF REMEDIES AND DAMAGES.  YOU CAN RECOVER FROM MICROSOFT AND ITS SUPPLIERS ONLY DIRECT DAMAGES UP TO U.S. $5.00.  YOU CANNOT RECOVER ANY OTHER DAMAGES, INCLUDING CONSEQUENTIAL, LOST PROFITS, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES.
This limitation applies to
*   anything related to the software, services, content (including code) on third party Internet sites, or third party programs; and
*   claims for breach of contract, breach of warranty, guarantee or condition, strict liability, negligence, or other tort to the extent permitted by applicable law.
It also applies even if Microsoft knew or should have known about the possibility of the damages.  The above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you because your country may not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental, consequential or other damages.

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[GregL]

hutch,

The resource compiler (rc.exe) is not included in Visual C++ Express Editions, it's included in Standard Edition or better though. msvcr90.dll is in the download, it ends up in the \VC\redist\x86\Microsoft.VC90.CRT folder. I was going to suggest you install it, but remembered you are running Windows 2000. At least you got the best part and it works. IIRC, Link 9.0 has a dependency on mspdb80.dll. You're probably better off without Link 9.0. Earlier versions of Link should work fine, as long as you stick to doing a release build.

[hutch--]

I unpacked mspdb80.dll but link says its an invalid image. I renamed it and link works without it so I guess there is no great loss if you are not using the VC debugger. First test says ML works fine, it has fixed a few bugs that were in version 8.0. I will play with it a little longer to see what it does.

[GregL]

hutch,

Ah, maybe Link 9 only has the dependency on mspdb80.dll when doing a debug build.

Let me (us) know what you find out.

[hutch--]

Greg,

Do you know if ML 9.00 has had any new features added to it in terms of assembler capacity. I have no technical data for it yet and I wondered what SSE level it was up to in 32 bit instructions.

[Vortex]

Hi Hutch,

I followed your method on my Xp Sp3 but ml.exe refused to run. Did you install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package before trying ml.exe? Installing this package solved the problem.

[GregL]

hutch,

I haven't seen any information on it. There was a list of new MASM Features in Visual C++ 2005 but I can't find a similar list for VC++ 2008 and MASM 9.0. And that list didn't talk about supported processor instructions.

[GregL]

hutch,

I did find these:  Minor breaking change in MASM 9
                       Feedback: MASM: punpckldq mmreg, qword ptr [eax] now gives error

[hutch--]

Erol,

I downloaded the ISO, opened it as drive Z: and after trying Winrar on it and failing I opened the file with 7zip, unpacked it then opened the next file with Winrar. I had to rename ML from its long packed name and download MSVCR90.DLL off the internet but it works fine.

Open "Z:\vs90sp1\VS90sp1-KB945140-X86-ENU.msp" with 7zip file manager.

Unpack the archive PATCH.CAB to disk.

Open patch.cab with Winrar and decompress it.

Pick out the ML 32 bit version.