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Document:	VAX-11 MACRO User's Guide
Order Number:	AA-DO33B-TE
Revision:	0
Pages:	66
Original Filename:

OCR Text

February 1979
This document contains information that an assembly language
programmer needs to use the capabilities of the VAX-11 MACRO
assembly language efficiently.

VA X-11
MACRO User’s Guide
Order No. AA-DO33B-TE

SUPERSESSION/UPDATE INFORMATION:

This revised document supersedes
the VAX-11 MACRO User's Guide

(Order No. AA-DO33A-TE)
OPERATING SYSTEM AND VERSION:

VAX/VMS V1.5

SOFTWARE VERSION:

VAX-11 MACRO V2.0

To order additional copies of this document, contact the Software Distribution
Center, Digital Equipment Corporation, Maynard, Massachusetts 01754

digital equipment corporation - maynard, massachusetts

First Printing, August 1978
Revised, February 1979

The

information in this document is

and

should not be construed as

subject to change without notice

a commitment by Digital Equipment

Corporation.
Digital Equipment Corporation assumes no responsibility
for any errors that may appear in this document.
The

software described

and may

in this

only be used or

copied

document
in

furnished under

accordance with

the

terms

license
of

such

license.
No responsibility is
equipment

that

assumed

is not

for the use or reliability of

supplied by

DIGITAL or

its

affiliated

software on
companies.

The postage-prepaid READER'S
document requests the user's
paring future documentation.

COMMENTS form on the last page of this
critical evaluation to assist us in pre-

The

of Digital Equipment Corporation:

following are trademarks

DIGITAL

DECsystem~10

DEC

DECtape

MASSBUS
OMNIBUS

PDP

DIBOL

0s/8

DECUS

EDUSYSTEM

PHA

UNIBUS

FLIP

RSTS

COMPUTER LABS

FOCAL

RSX

COMTEX

INDAC

TYPESET-8

CHIP

DDT

LAB-8

TYPESET-11

DECCOMM

DECSYSTEM-20

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ASSIST-11

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DECnet

VMS
IAS

SBI
PDT

DATATRIEVE

TRAX

CONTENTS
Page
PREFACE

SUMMARY OF

CHAPTER

TECHNICAL

CHANGES

vii

INTRODUCTION

1-1

1.1

DEVELOPING A VAX-11 MACRO PROGRAM
VAX-11 MACRO ASSEMBLER
USER-DEFINED SYMBOLS
MACROS
PROGRAM SECTIONS
LINKING MACRO PROGRAMS
Resolving Symbolic and Library References

1-1
1-3

1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.6.1
1.6.2
1.7

Program Relocation and Address Assignment
DEBUGGING MACRO PROGRAMS

1-9

USING VAX-11l

2-1

2.1

THE MACRO COMMAND
File Specifications

2.1.1
2.1.2

MACRO

The

/CROSS

2.1.2.2

The

/ENABLE

2-2

2.1.2.3
2.1.2.4

The
The

and /NOCROSS Qualifiers
and

/DISABLE

1-9

2~-1

Qualifiers

2.1.2.1

1-4
1-5
1-5
1-7
1-8

Qualifiers

2-3
2-5
2-5

/LIBRARY Qualifier
/LIST and /NOLIST Qualifiers
2.1.2.5
The /OBJECT and /NOOBJECT Qualifiers
2.1.2.6
The /SHOW and /NOSHOW Qualifiers
2.1.3
Diagnostic Messages
2.2
LISTING FILE FORMAT
2.2.1
Table of Contents and Page Headings
2.2.2
Source Statements and Hexadecimal Code
2.2.3
Symbol Table
2.2.4
Program Section Synopsis
2.2.5
Cross-Reference Listing
2.2.6
Assembly Summary
2.2.7
Assembly Listing Example

2-13

CHAPTER

WRITING POSITION-INDEPENDENT

3-1

APPENDIX

DTAGNOSTIC

CODE

MESSAGES

INDEX

2-6
2-7
2-7
2-7
2-8
2-10

2-10
2-11
2-12
2-12
2-12
2-13

A-1

Index-1

FIGURES

FIGURE

1-1

Developing

1-2

Function

1-3

VAX-11 MACRO Program

a VAX-11 MACRO Assembler
Link Functions

iii

1-2

1-3
1-7

CONTENTS

Page

TABLES

TABLE

1
2
-3
4

File Specification Defaults
VAX-11 MACRO Command Qualifiers

/CROSS Qualifier Functions
/ENABLE and /DISABLE Qualifier Functions
/SHOW and /NOSHOW Qualifier Functions

Relative

and Absolute

Addressing Modes

2-3
2-4
2-5
2-6
2-8
3-2

PREFACE

MANUAL

OBJECTIVES

This manual describes how to use the
It
1is
designed
to enable users to

MACRO.

The

VAX-11

MACRO

features

Language

the

VAX-11

Reference

VAX-11 MACRO
assembly
assemble programs coded

MACRO

language

are

language.
in VAX-11

described

Manual.

the

INTENDED AUDIENCE

This

manual

assumes

experience

intended

that

the

and

intended

has

for

shareable

images.

STRUCTURE

This manual
follows:
e

the

VAX-11
had

VAX/VMS

into

Chapter 1 provides an
for
users
who
are
assembler.
Chapter

assembly

Primer.

MACRO

describes

MACRO

three

This

language

Chapter

programmers

who

manual

programming

this

want

guide

create

and

one

appendix,

the

MACRO

command,

which

invokes

assembler.

Chapter 3 describes how to
use in shareable images.

Appendix

chapters

describes

the

write

VAX-11

position-independent

MACRO

error

code

messages.

DOCUMENTS

following

documents

VAX-11

VAX-11/780

VAX/VMS

Primer

VAX/VMS

Command

VAX-11l

Linker

VAX-1l1l

Symbolic

MACRO

are

relevant

Language

introduction to VAX-11
MACRO
assembler
not
familiar
with
the operation of an

ASSOCIATED

MACRO programmers.

some

DOCUMENT

organized

VAX-11

The

read

all
has

experienced

THIS

for

reader

VAX-11

Reference

Manual

Architecture

Language

Reference
Debugger

MACRO

Handbook

User's

Guide

Manual
Reference

Manual

programming:

the

for

VAX/VMS

System

VAX/VMS

1I/0

For a complete
description of

CONVENTIONS

The

Reference

of
see

THIS

all
VAX-1ll
documents,
1including
the VAX-11l Information Directory.

brief

other

DOCUMENT

following conventions are observed

VAX-11

Manual

User's Guide

1list
each,

USED

Services

this

gquide,

documents:

Brackets

([])

indicate that

Uppercase words and

you

should

type

the enclosed argument

letters,

the word

(...)

indicate that

repeated

one

indicate

that

used in
formats,
indicate
or value of your choice.

that

letter

Lowercase words and letters,
you are to substitute a word
Ellipses

used

times.

the

formats,

is optional.

exactly as

preceding

shown.

item(s)

can

SUMMARY

This

manual

technical
Technical
VAX-11

The

VAX-11

TECHNICAL

MACRO

Language

and

Reference

/NOCROSS

control

the

CHANGES

V2.0.

changes
1in
the
use
of
changes in the VAX-11l MACRO

/CROSS

command

documents

summarizes

the

the
assembler from Version
language are documented
in

This

section

1.0.
the

Manual.

qualifiers

have

cross-reference

been

added

The SUPPRESSION function has been added to the
/ENABLE
qualifiers to the MACRO command to allow suppression of
unreferenced
You

symbols

longer

need

the

symbol

specify macro

The

formats

the

listing

file

and

the

MACRO

and
/DISABLE
the listing of

table.
library

before
the
source
files.
In
fact,
generally be specified after the source
command
that follows the description in
will still work.

been

listing.

files

the

MACRO

command

macro
1library
files
should
files.
However,
any
MACRO
the Version 1.0 documentation

the

diagnostic

messages

have

changed.

The

assembler
itself
now
runs
1in
native
mode
rather
than
compatibility
mode.
This
does
not change the object code that
assembler produces, which has always been native
mode
code,
but
only an internal assembler change.

vii

in
the
is

CHAPTER

INTRODUCTION

The VAX-11 MACRO
instruction
set
allows

you

language
and
the
perform many

compare,

increment,

described

the

consists
of
the
VAX-11/780
native
mode
assembler directives.
The instruction set
types

move,

and

VAX-11/780

data

manipulation,

complement.

Architecture

The

Handbook.

directives
create
and
initialize
data
areas
using the
instruction
set
more
effectively.
described in the VAX-11 MACRO Language Reference
provides an introduction to the assembler.

1.1

You

DEVELOPING

write

statements

the

operator

and

operand

directives

process).
statement line

sequence

;

are

either

set

and

data

(instructions

The

are
assembler

The

and provide tools for
The
directives
are
Manual.
This chapter

assembly

language

statement

comments

instructions
needed

the

selected

from
the
instructions or 2)

to
the
assembler
to
label, which is optional,

guide

so that you can refer to the instructions
from
other parts of the program.
Comments,
explain what operations are being performed.

on
that
optional,

add,

format:

operand(s)

instruction

PROGRAM

MACRO program

assembly

the

MACRO

following

operator

VAX-11/780
assembler

VAX-11l

VAX-11
in

label:

The

such

instructions

the
identifies

or
data
which are

line

You use tabs and spaces to make the program more readable.
When
vyou
have
finished
creating
the
program as a complete, edited file, you
submit it as input to the VAX-11 MACRO language assembler.
The VAX-11
MACRO

language

statements,

assembler

converting

(object code).
combines
your
execution.

Figure
program.

develop

illustrated

processes
to

The object code
program
units,

VAX-11

MACRO

them

VAX-11

1-1

is next
making

program

1-1.

The

(assembles)

internal

1illustrates

MACRO

Figure

you

the

machine

1language

language

code

processed by the linker,
the
program
suitable

which
for

the

development

must

commands

associated

executable

the

four

steps

with

these

steps

are:

$
$
$
$
Chapter

EDIT
MACRO
LINK
RUN
2

Command

commands.

this

Language

manual
User's

describes
Guide

the

MACRO

describes

command.
the

EDIT,

The
LINK,

VAX/VMS
and

RUN

INTRODUCTION

$ EDIT NAME.MAR
Use the file type of MAR to
indicate the source file

NAME.MAR

Create the

contains a VAX-11 MACRO

macro libraries

source program

program.

MACRO NAME
The MACRO command
assumes the file type of an
input file is MAR (.MLB for

macro libraries).

Assemble the

source program

If you use the /LIST

NAME.OBJ

(NAME. LIS)
object libraries

qualifier, the assembler

debugger

creates a listing file.

$ LINK NAME

The LINK command assumes

jchzgf;a(t\(/)p:Boff an itr:‘pu: file

libraries).

NAME.EXE

(NAME.MAP)

object module

or oblee

DB,

Link the

If you use the /MAP qualifier,
the linker creates a map file.

$ RUN NAME

Run the

The RUN command assumes

executable
:

the file type of an image is

EXE.

Figure

VAX-11]

MACRO

allows

1-1

you

image

Developing

use

VAX-11

modular

MACRO Program

approach

your

prodram.

You
can
create
an entire program as a series of smaller independent
subprograms or modules.
Each module consists of a number of routines.
A

routine

Modular

sequence

programming

maintenance,

and

code

You can write and
routines,
Then

test
vyou

independently

Different

that

facilitates

enhancement

routines

programmers

performs

one

program

procedure.

creation,

debugging,

follows:

each
routine
independently
of
other
can test the module consisting of these
of

other

can

modules.

develop

and

maintain

different

modules.

Changing a program requires
changing
module in which the change occurs.

VAX-11 MACRO assembles each module
them

all

into

complete

program.

separately.

and

testing

Then the

only

linker

the

Jjoins

INTRODUCTION

1.2

The

VAX-11l

VAX-11]

your

MACRO ASSEMBLER

MACRO assembler

source

object

assembly
computer

program)

module).

accepts

information

and

translates

The

assembler

into

one

format

(that

another

format

(that

interprets

language

and

is,
is,

processes

the

editor

statements, one at a time, and generates one or more
instructions or data items.
Because you originally
use
the
to create a VAX-11l MACRO program in ASCII format, your program

must

translated

The

VAX-1l

output

module,

new

machine

assembler

version

You

listing
of
illustrates

into

MACRO
<can

the

format

performs

program

request

the

that

this

object

VAX-11

the
source
program
at
the role of the assembler.

the

format,

MACRO

the

computer

translation,

called

assembler

same

can

time.

use.

producing
to

object

produce

Figure

1-2

MACRO
LIBRARIES

SOURCE

PROGRAM

ASSEMBLE

osuecT

MobuLE

LISTING

(OPTIONAL)

Figure

During

assembly

unit;

Keeps

track

values

all

does

the

VAX-11

VAX-11]

instructions

this
all

symbol

assembly

and

values

data

their

Converts

MACRO
used

relative

by means

MACRO Assembler

user-defined

assembler:

within

the

positions

storage

symbols

source

within

location

and

program

the

program

counter

their

respective

table
language

into

their

mnemonics,

respective

user-defined

machine

symbols,

language

(object

equivalents

processing,

statement

into

relative

storage

each

for

determines

code)

During

Function

processing,

Accounts

and

1-2

the

numerical

statement,

assembler
data

location.
it

wupdates

converts

(the

object

the

assembler

the

wvalue

each

code)

and

program
assigns

translates
of

the

language
the

data

and

assigns

1location

counter

INTRODUCTION

accordingly.
assigned
by
computer's

The
the

1linker
«converts
the
assembler
to
virtual

memory.

Each

location

has

relative
storage

storage
1locations
1locations
in
the

associated

number

called

its

address,

VAX-1ll

MACRO

locations
numbers

See

the

Section

machine
2.2

language
more

the

code

addresses

numbers.
that

information

symbols

are

names

location

Identify

the

location

data

Represent

also
your

several
value.

makes

memory

The

hexadecimal

the

listing

you

can

use

object

file.

that

identifies

labels

locations

internal

the

also

called

symbol

that

1is

and

represent

label

assembler

symbol's
address

local

indicates
each

memory

locations

called

without

knowing

label.

You

exactly where

referred

use

redefining

one
in

module;

which

the

symbol

that

is,

modules

global

symbol.

Global
a

constant used in
change the value
as

the

defined.

several places
referred to in
a

different

symbol

1is

internal

only
symbol

symbol.

called

symbols

double

other

than

Global
provide

the

one

symbols

are

which

the

communication

key

between

colon

(::)

define

global

symbol

used

sign

(==)

define

global

symbol

used

with

the

equal

value.

replaces

address
of

replaces

module

programming.

location

simply

You

routine

symbol to replace a
This allows you to

can

modules.

refer

symbol

modular

to:

memory.

can use a
program.

defined

that

value

referred

symbolic

the

wuse

You
in

for

shows

hexadecimal

Identify

they will

The

symbol

can

1listing

contents

USER~-DEFINED SYMBOLS

User-defined

assembly

their

represent

module.

1.3

and

global

each

symbol

the

global

reference

value.,

However,

defined

1linker

symbol

that

reference

the

assembler

1local

different

the

symbol

with

not

module.

the

symbol
does

the

Therefore,

global.

symbol's

know

The

linker

address

value,
As

the

assembler

symbol
symbol's

table

processes

contains

address

value

your

all

module,

symbols

(when

known).

builds

wused

the

The

symbol

table.

module
table

with

The
each

printed

in
the
1listing
file
(see
Section
2.2.3).
The assembler does not
usually write the complete symbol table to the object module;
instead
it
writes
a
symbol
table
that
contains only global symbols.
The
linker
uses
the
global
symbol
tables
to
resolve
global
symbol
references.
The VAX-11 Symbolic Debugger (see Section 1.7) also uses
the object module symbol table.
Consequently, you may want to include
local
symbols
in
the
object
module
symbol
table.
To include a
specific local symbol, you must specify it in
the
.DEBUG
directive.
To
include
all
1local
symbols,
you
must specify the /ENABLE=DEBUG
qualifier in the MACRO command or .ENABLE DEBUG in the source file.

INTRODUCTION

There are
symbols.

two specialized kinds
Weak
symbols do not

of global symbols:
have to be resolved

the description of the .WEAK directive in the
Reference
Manual).
Universal
symbols
are
(see the
description
of
universal
symbols
Reference Manual).
Local

labels

are

temporary

labels

(consisting

weak and universal
by the linker (see

VAX-11
MACRO
Language
in shareable images
in
the
VAX-11
Linker

used

number

followed

a dollar sign) that you can use to refer to locations between symbolic
labels (see the VAX-11 MACRO Language Reference Manual).
Local labels
are

not

symbols;

module.
table

1.4

and

are

not

1labels

local

available

labels
to

the

<can

are

not

linker

reused

included

debugger.

the

VAX-11

the

same

object

the

symbol

MACROS

Macros

are

language.
want
a

local

Consequently,

very

macro

recur

name.

useful

1is

your

Then,

you

feature

any sequence of

program.
can

You

call

first

the

MACRO

instructions

define

the

macro

from

any

macro
other

program by simply entering the macro name in the operator
statement
1line.
You must define a macro before you can
The assembler directives that define macros are described
of the VAX-11 MACRO Language Reference Manual.

Every

time

code

contained

the

assembler
in

encounters

the

macro

the

assembly

coding

macro

definition.

name,

This

that you

and

give

part

field

refer

a
it.

Chapter

inserts

called

your

the

expanding

macro.

You

can

also

directives.
checked.
one

define

Each

Thus,

you

macros

that

time

the

macro

can

generate

contain

1is

conditional

expanded,

several

different

assembly

the

conditions

are

code

sequences

from

macro.

In addition to using macros that you define, you can use system macros
provided by the VAX/VMS operating system.
These system macros perform
useful functions such as calling system services.
The VAX/VMS
System
Services
Reference
Manual describes how you can use system macros to
call
system
services
to
perform,
for
example,
file
and
record
handling,
Macros

process

can

example,

control,

and

defined

are

defined

the

memory management

macro

library.

system macro

services.

The

system

library.

a library consisting entirely of macro definitions.
macros
in
libraries in the same way that you refer

object

modules.

You must

MACRO

command

(with

specify

1.5
You

the

name

PROGRAM
can

specify

the

default

routines

is
You can refer
to
to macros in your

the

macro

qualifier).

You

the

for

library

library
do

system macro

not

the

have

library.

SECTIONS

segment

your

are

object

stored

information

name

library,

module

Using program sections allows you
increased error protection,
and

section

the

/LIBRARY

macros,

A macro

in virtual

into

creating

into

series

to write
control
memory.

The

the object module,
an

executable

program

sections.

more modular programs,
the
order
in
which
assembler

and

program

the

image.

writes

linker

have
vyour

program

uses

this

INTRODUCTION

You specify the start of a program section and describe its attributes
by using the .PSECT directive (see the VAX-11 MACRO Language Reference
Manual).
Within each module the assembler maintains several
location
counters

-- one

for each program

section.

You can continue a previously
defined
program
section
by
using
a
second
.PSECT
directive
that
specifies the same name as the .PSECT
directive that defined the original program section.

Because the assembler does not know where each program
section
goes,
all
references
between
sections
are
relative
to
the base of the
section.
The linker resolves these references at link time.

You can use program sections to perform any of the following:
®

Separate your object module into
smaller
sections
of
code.
Each
program section should contain a complete routine.
This
can increase the modularity of your program, making it
easier
to debug,

and

enhance.

Allow different modules
to
gain
access
to
the
same
data
locations.
(This
is
done
in
FORTRAN
by using the COMMON
statement.) If you specify the same program section name
with
the overlay (OVR) attribute in different modules, each program
section

maintain,

the

same

virtual

memory.

Separate areas where you
intend
to
write
information
areas
where
you
do
not
intend
to write information.
example, if your program erroneously writes to
an
area

the

no-write

(NOWRT)

attribute,

from
For
with

memory access violation

occurs.
Separating such areas in your
program
into
program
sections
makes
debugging
your
program
easier
because the
program sections act as additional
protection
from
miscoded
instructions

logic

errors.

Identify sections of your object module to the debugger.
The
debugger
uses the program section name to identify a location
and to identify the section of
the
program
being
examined.

Consequently,
you should always specify names for all program
sections.
Do not use the default program
sections
that
the
assembler
creates
when you do not specify .PSECT or when you
specify .PSECT with no program section name.

Produce shareable program sections to use in shareable images.
One
copy of a shareable image on disk and in physical memory
can be used by many
processes
at
the
same
time.
Several
processes
can
gain
access to the data in a shareable image.

In addition, large programs that are used
in
many
processes
can
be
made
into
shareable
images
to
improve
system
performance.
See the VAX-1l Linker Reference Manual for
more
information on

shareable

images.

Control the order in which
program
sections
are
stored
in
virtual
memory;
this can improve the performance of programs
larger than your
working
set.
Making
frequently
accessed
program
sections contiguous with each other in virtual memory
increases the probability
of
having
a
frequently
accessed
program section

in your working

set.

The linker separates all program sections
attributes.
Within
these
groups
sections alphabetically by name.

1-6

the

into

1linker

groups

stores

with

the

similar

program

INTRODUCTION

Program

sections

with

the

stored

starting

the

sections

with

concatenated

The

attributes

control

the

program

section

same

the

same

the

order

that

specify

you

contents

and

and
they

the

the
are

overlay
virtual

section;

those

you

LINKING

MACRO

are

linker.

describe

but

ensure

For

are

Program

attribute

the

must

attributes.

should
not
include
instructions to be executed
with the NOEXE (not executable) attribute.

1.6

attribute
memory.

concatenate

specified

.PSECT directive

program

has

the

address

name

the

actually

name

same

not

that

the
you

example,

program

section

PROGRAMS

The object module produced by the
MACRO
command
may
in
itself
be
incomplete.
It
may
need to be joined, or linked, with other object
modules or library files to form a complete functioning program.
The
link operation:
e

Joins together
object modules

Relocates

individual object
memory addresses

virtual
®

Produces

Figure

the object modules
that define them

executable

that

modules

image

and

use

symbols

necessary

optional

map,

and

1-3

OBJECT
LIBRARIES

OBJECT

MODULE(S)

LINK

_ [EXECUTABLE

MODULE

MAP

(OPTIONAL)

Figure

1-3

Link

Functions

with

the

assigns

shown

INTRODUCTION

The link
assigns

operation, in addition to joining
object
modules
virtual memory addresses to the relative addresses

togethers
calculated

by the VAX-11l MACRO assembler.
Because the memory
addresses
of
one
object
module
must be relocated to accommodate the addresses used in
another object module,
the
1link
operation
serves
to
resolve
all
address

all

changes.

module

links

information
program
An

and

just

image

(errors

executable

one

that

1image

that

you

operation

memory

then,

can

1is

addresses

picture

image

and

with

storage

what

your

that

cannot

program

run

errors

system

your

link

execution.

1logic

the

virtual

1image,

before

contains

all

The

program

properly

result

assigned.

looks

executable

your

The

resolved

the

system.

prevent

always

should

detect),
produce

Unless

from

running

the

results

you

intended.
However, if logic errors exist within your program, running
the
program will produce either erroneous results or none at all.
1If
this is the case, you must study the source program,
debug
it,
edit
it, then perform the assembly and link operations again.
You

can

other

also

link

native

capability

gives

programming

and

example,
VAX-11

you

can

MACRO

the

addition,
files

modules

the

subprograms

VAX-11

FORTRAN

flexibility

subprograms

FORTRAN

linker

with

programming

subprogram

other

VAX-11]

such

assembly

high-level

perform

data

perform

written

IV-PLUS.

language

language.

For

acquisition

data

1in

This

analysis

in
file

IV-PLUS.
library

files.

These

debugged,

and

1linked

subroutines,
Because
you
gain
access
to
link time, their routines can be used by your

object
program

that

allows

contain

you

use

already

object

written,

needed.

1.6.1
The

both

ease

write

subprograms and
library files at
as

you

and

MACRO

languages,

the

input/output

are

VAX-11l

mode

Resolving

linker

Symbolic

reads

through

and
all

Library References
the

object

modules

that

you

indicate

input
to
the
LINK
command.
It
gathers and evaluates information
provided by the assembler that is necessary for program linking.
For
each
input
module,
this
information
1includes
the
object
code,

information needed
instruction,
the

for relocation, the relative
global symbols used, and the

address of
the
first
length of each program

section.
One

the

references

During

1linker's

and

library

translation,

module

are

functions

1is

references

the

global.

assembler
During

notes

resolve

joined

which

1linking,

the

all

global

symbols
linker

keeps

global references and definitions found in all the object
as
linking
proceeds, makes the appropriate correlations

instructions

all

1list

globals)

data

either

necessary

object

References

program

library

with

necessary.

because

were

files

also

the

appropriate

just

that

included
involve

in
of

the

resolved

error

the

the
use

linker

LINK
of

for

file

and

the

any global

the

modules, and
and modifies

linking,
not

object
of

outputs

(undefined

because

some

command.
global

symbols.

a library by naming a routine
your program.
You then link

library

does

the
track

were

programming

not

to the routines
the source code

references

After

references

modules

library

You
gain access
global symbol in

symbolic

symbol

routines.

linker

symbol.

resolves

as a
your
the

INTRODUCTION

1.6.2

Program Relocation

and

Address Assignment

A second important function of the linker is to "fix" relative
memory
addresses
so
that
they
are
wvirtual.
The object module represents
translated
source
instructions
that
have
been
assigned
memory
addresses relative to a base address of 0.

The

linker

address

1.7

assigns
each

DEBUGGING

base

program

MACRO

address

the

1image

and

fixes

the

base

section.

PROGRAMS

Debugging
executable
and linked

is
the
process
of
finding
and
correcting
errors
in
programs;
that
1is, in programs that have been assembled
without
diagnostic
messages,
but
that
produce
invalid

results.,

(For

VAX-11

MACRO,

information

see

Section

about

2.1.3

and

diagnostic
Appendix

messages

produced‘by

A.)

The

debugger provided with the VAX/VMS system is a symbolic
debugger;
it
can refer to instructions and data by symbolic names.
However, it
can only gain access to the names that
are
included
in
the
symbol
table
in the object module.
By default, the debugger can gain access
to global symbol and program section names.
If you want to debug with
local
symbol
names,
you must specify the /ENABLE=DEBUG qualifier in
the MACRO command or include .ENABLE DEBUG in the source code.
See

the

VAX-11

debugging

Symbolic

VAX-11

Debugger

MACRO

Reference

Manual

for

programs.
]

information

CHAPTER

USING

The

MACRO

reads

command

your

invokes

source

the

program;

VAX-11]

VAX-11]
checks

MACRO

MACRO
it

for

assembler.
syntax

The

errors;

object module;
and, optionally produces a listing file.
describes
the
format
of the MACRO command and Section
the listing file.

2.1

THE

MACRO

assembler
produces

Section
2.1
2.2 describes

COMMAND

Format

$ MACRO[/qualifiers]

file-spec-list[/qualifiers]

Parameters

/qualifiers
Command

performed

file
by

the

qualifiers

that

indicate

assembler

(see

Section

special

actions

2.1.2).

file-spec-list
A file specification or list of file specifications that
specify
the
source
and
macro
1library input files to be assembled into
object modules (see Section 2.1.1).
If the
file
specifications
are
separated
assembled into
separated

by
one

plus signs (+),
object module.

commas

(,),

the

files

the files are concatenated
If the file specifications
are

assembled

individual object modules.
The default
file
source files and MLB for macro library files.

separately

type

1is

MAR

and
are
into

for

The assembler reads your source
files
in
the
order
in
which
vyou
specify
thenm.
You
can
request
the
assembler
to perform several
assemblies with one command.
The assembler, by default,
produces
an
object
module
with the same file name as your first input file.
You
can use the /OBJECT qualifier
module.
You can suppress the
the /NOOBJECT qualifier.

to specify the file name of
the
object
production of the object module by using

In interactive mode, the assembler does not,
by
default,
produce
a
listing
file;
you must use the /LIST qualifier to specify a listing
file.
In batch mode, the assembler, by default,
produces
a
1listing
file with the same file name as the first input file.
You can use the
/LIST qualifier to specify the file name of the listing file.

USING

VAX-11

MACRO

Examples

MACRO

PART1+PART2+PART3

The assembler concatenates the source
files
PART1l,
PART2,
and
PART3
and
assembles
them into one object module with a name of
PART1.
No listing file is created.

MACRO/LIST APROG,BPROG,CPROG

The

assembler

APROG,

BPROG,

The

assembler

file

MYPROG

with

the

independently

assembles

and

object

CPROG

into

the

three

modules

and

source

listing

files

files.

MACRO MYPROG/LIST+MLIB/LIBRARY
uses

and

file

the

macro

creates

name

library

an output

MLIB

object

assemble

module

and

the

source

listing

files

MYPROG.

The following sections describe the file specifications,
file qualifiers, and how the assembler handles errors.

2.1.1

File

A file
output

specification indicates
file to be produced.

command

and

Specifications
the

input

file

processed,

the

Format

device:{[directory]filename.filetype;version
Parameters

device
The physical
written,.

device

which

file

1is

under

which

the

stored

1is

[directory]
The

name

square

the

brackets

directory
are

file

cataloged.

characters

describing the kind
3 characters long.

data

The

required.

filename
The

name

the

file;

of the
can be

file,
up to

filename

can

long.

filetype
The type
filetype

the

file;

version

The version number of the file.
Versions
are
identified
by
a
decimal
number,
which is incremented each time a new version of
the file is created.

USING

You

need

each

not

time

explicitly

you

specification
any

other

Table

2-1

state

assemble

that

part

all

the

elements

file

The

required

the

file
a

Optional
Element

default

device

directory

filetype

Depends

Source

input

Macro

library

specify

information

omit

value

used.

——————

current

version

2.1.2

User's

also

file

you

Default

usage:

Object module
Listing file

can

the

1If

Defaults

device

specification.

name.

———

You

specification

part

default

values.

Table 2-1
Specification

file

only

specification,

default

File

MACRO

program,

always

summarizes

VAX-11]

MAR

file

MLB

OBJ
LIS

Input:

highest

existing

Output:

highest

version

existing

version

logical

See

file

the VAX/VMS
logical names.

name

rather

Command

than

Language

User's

plus

complete

file

Guide

for

Qualifiers

Qualifiers
actions.

specify

that the assembler
should
perform
the
specified
Qualifiers can be used as either comman
d qualifiers or file
qualifiers.
A command qualifier affects all the assemb
lies
specified

in
it

the MACRO command.
qualifies,

All

MACRO

command

only
A

qualifiers
qualifiers

file

qualifier

can

file

except
or

qualifier

the

file

qualifier.
have

one

the

affects

/LIBRARY

only

the

qualifier

qualifiers.

The

following

formats:

/qualifier=function
/qualifier=(functionl,

function2,

...,

can

/LIBRARY

/qualifier

functionn)

assembly that

either

qualifier

can

USING VAX-11] MACRO

and
Table 2-2 lists the MACRO qualifiers, their possible functions,
their default functions. Note that some values have a long form and a
Square
the effect is the same.,
You can use either form;
short form.
brackets around the equal sign in the table indicate that the
qualifier can appear with or without functions.
Table

2-2

VAX-11 MACRO Command Qualifiers

Functions

Qualifier
Long Form

/CROSS [=]

ALL

DIRECTIVES
MACROS
OPCODES
REGISTERS
SYMBOLS

/DISABLE= | ABSOLUTE
DEBUG

Short

five

egativ

Form

/NOCROSS

AMA
DBG

/ENABLE=

/DISABLE=
(AMA,DBG,LSB,SUP,FPT)

/ENABLE=(GBL, TBK)

DIR
MAC
OPC
REG
SYM

GLOBAL

GBL

SUPPRESSION
TRACEBACK
TRUNCATION

TBK

/ENABLE=

ABSOLUTE

AMA

/DISABLE=

/LIBRARY

/NOLIST

/LIST[=]

DEBUG
GLOBAL
SUPPRESSION
TRACEBACK
TRUNCATION

file-spec

Default

Form

sSupP
FPT

DBG
GBL
SuUPp
TBK
FPT

Not a library

/NOLIST (interactive
mode)

/LIST

/OBJECT[=]]|file-spec

/SHOW [ =]

BINARY

CALLS
CONDITIONALS
DEFINITIONS
EXPANSIONS

(batch mode)

/NOOBJECT

/OBJECT

MEB

/NOSHOW[=]

/SHOW= (MC,CND,MD)

MC
CND
MD
ME

The following sections describe the VAX-11 MACRO command qualifiers in

detail.

USING VAX-1l MACRO

2.1.2.1
The /CROSS and /NOCROSS Qualifiers - The /CROSS.
and /NOCROSS
qualifiers
control
whether
a cross-reference listing is included in
the listing file.
1If you specify the /CROSS
qualifier,
the
1listing
file
includes
a
cross-reference
1listing.
Note that if you enter a
MACRO command with the /CROSS qualifier interactively, you
must
also
specify
the
/LIST qualifier.
The /NOCROSS qualifier is the default;
you need not specify it to have the cross-reference listing excluded.
Table

2-3 lists the

functions

that

you

can

specify

1in

/CROSS

qualifier.
You can specify either the long form or the short form of
the functions.
If you specify the /CROSS qualifier with no functions,
it
is
equivalent
to
/CR0OSS=(MAC,SYM).
See
Section
2.2.5
for a
description of the format of the
cross-reference
1listing.
See
the
VAX-11 MACRO Language Reference Manual for a description of the .CROSS
and

.NOCROSS

directives.

Table 2-3
/CROSS Qualifier Functions

Long Form

Short Form

Meaning

ALL

Includes directives, macros, opcodes,
registers, and symbols in the
cross-reference listing

DIRECTIVES

DIR

Includes directives in the
cross-reference listing

MACROS

MAC

OPCODES

OPC

REGISTERS

REG

SYMBOLS

SYM

Includes macros

listing

in the cross-reference

Includes opcodes in the
cross-reference listing

Includes

cross-reference

references

listing

Includes user-defined

cross-reference

symbols

listing

in the
in the

2.1.2.2
The
/ENABLE
and
/DISABLE
Qualifiers - The
/ENABLE
and
/DISABLE
qualifiers
have the same effect as the .ENABLE and .DISABLE
assembler directives, respectively.
They control
the
way
that
the

assembler
interprets
your
source program.
The /ENABLE and /DISABLE
qualifiers override any .ENABLE or .DISABLE directives in
the
source
program.
See
the
VAX-1ll
MACRO
Language Reference Manual for more
information on the .ENABLE and .DISABLE directives.

Table 2-4 lists the functions that you can specify in
an
/ENABLE
or
/DISABLE qualifier.
You can specify either the long form or the short
form of the functions.
If you specify more
than
one
function,
vyou
must
enclose the function list in parentheses.
If you use an /ENABLE
or /DISABLE qualifier, you must specify at least one function
in
the
qualifier.

USING

/ENABLE

Long

Form

Short

and

Table
/DISABLE

Form

MACRO

2-4
Qualifier

Functions

Default

AMA

ABSOLUTE

VAX-11

Meaning

/DISABLE

When
all

ABSOLUTE
PC

relative

enabled,
addressing

modes are assembled
absolute addressing

DBG

DEBUG

/DISABLE

When

DEBUG

local

the

symbol

table

module

for

the
GBL

/ENABLE

enabled, all
are included

symbols

object

GLOBAL

all

undefined

considered

symbols;
disabled,

when

enabled,
be

any

/DISABLE

When

are

the

TBK

/ENABLE

all
to

error

symbols

but

not
not

are

symbol

that
listed

table;

SUPPRESSION

all symbols
defined are

that are
listed in

symbol
TRACEBACK

listed
directive

assembly

defined

referred

not

SUPPRESSION

enabled,

When

are

external

GLOBAL is
undefined

that is
.EXTERNAL

causes

sSyUpP

the
by

symbols

symbol

SUPPRESSION

use

debugger

When

as
modes

when

disabled,

the

table

TRACEBACK

enabled,

MACRO

includes the program
section names and lengths,
module names, and routine

names in the object module
for use by the debugger;
when TRACEBACK is
disabled, MACRO excludes

this information and, in
addition, does not make
any

local

symbol

information available
the debugger
TRUNCATION

FPT

/DISABLE

When

TRUNCATION

enabled,

floating-point

numbers

are truncated;
TRUNCATION is

when

disabled, floating-point
numbers are rounded

2.1.2‘3
that the

qualifier

The /LIBRARY
associated

affects

Qualifier

input

only

the

file

The

/LIBRARY

contains

input

file

qualifier
indicates
The /LIBRARY
qualifies.

macro

that

library.

USING

VAX-11

MACRO

2.1.2.4
The /LIST and
/NOLIST
Qualifiers - The
qualifiers
control whether an output listing file
specify the /NOLIST qualifier, no listing file
is

specify
the
/LIST
qualifier determines

/LIST
and
is created.
created.

/NOLIST
If you
If
you

qualifier,
a listing file is created.
The_ /LIST
the file
specification
of
the
output
1listing

file.
If

you

enter

the

default,

batch

MACRO

create

mode,

command

interactively,

listing

file.

however,

the

1If

assembler

you

does

the

assembler

execute

create

the

does

MACRO

1listing

not,

command

file

default.

If you specify
assembler uses

you

default

the /LIST
that file

qualifier

with
a
file
specification,
the
specification for the output listing file.

specify the /LIST qualifier without
file
name
depends
on
whether

file

/LIST

specification,
the
used as a command

qualifier or as a file qualifier.
If
/LIST
is
used
as
a
command
qualifier, the default file name is the name of the first input source
file.
If /LIST is used as a file qualifier, the default file name
is
the name of the file that /LIST qualifies.

2.1.2.5

The

/OBJECT

and

/NOOBJECT

Qualifiers

The

/OBJECT

and

/NOOBJECT qualifiers control whether an object module is created.
The
/OBJECT qualifier is the default;
you need not specify it to have
an
object
module
created.
If
you specify the /NOOBJECT qualifier, no
object module is created.
If you do not specify either the
the
assembler creates an object
first input file.
If

you

specify
uses

the

assembler

you

that

specify

default

/OBJECT
of

the

name

2.1.2.6

The

depends

used

that

file

without

whether

a file qualifier.
default file name

file

/NOOBJECT
same file

qualifier,
name as the

/OBJECT qualifier with a
file
specification,
file specification for the output object file.

the /OBJECT qualifier

file

qualifier or as
qualifier,
the
name

/OBJECT or the
module with the

file

/OBJECT

If /OBJECT is
is the name of

qualifier,

specification,

used

used
as
the first

the default

the

command

a
command
input file.

file

name

/SHOW

and

the

/OBJECT qualifies.

/SHOW and

/NOSHOW

Qualifiers

The

/NOSHOW

qualifiers
have
the
same
effect as the ,SHOW and .NOSHOW assembler
directives, respectively.
They
control
what
1lines
appear
1in
the
listing.
Note
that
if
you
enter
a MACRO command with a /SHOW or

/NOSHOW qualifier

interactively,

qualifier.

/SHOW

depending
If
the

The

whether

you

you specify /SHOW or
listing
of source

macros,

repeat

any

.SHOW

2-5

describes

and

specify

blocks.

The

/SHOW and

the

1long

form

than

one

function,

the

must

also

qualifiers

them with

specify

have

the

different

without

/LIST
effects

functions.

/NOSHOW with functions, the qualifier controls
lines that are in conditional assembly blocks,

.NOSHOW directives

the

vyou

/NOSHOW

and

/NOSHOW

that

are

/NOSHOW

short

you must

/SHOW

functions.

form of

enclose

the

qualifiers

source

You

Table

specify

either

can

functions.

function

list

override

program.

If
in

you

use

parentheses.

USING

VAX-1ll

MACRO

Specifying either the /SHOW or /NOSHOW qualifier with no
function
is
equivalent to starting your source file with an extra .SHOW or .NOSHOW
directive, respectively.
The listing count is incremented by a
/SHOW
qualifier
and
1is
decremented
by
a /NOSHOW qualifier.
The listing
count controls whether all source lines are listed.
If
the
1listing
count
1is
positive,
all
source lines are listed (including lines in
conditional assembly blocks,
macros,
and
repeat
blocks).
If
the
listing
count is negative, no lines are listed.
If the listing count
is 0, all lines except lines in conditional blocks, macros, and repeat
blocks
are
1listed:
these
1lines are listed depending on the values
specified in .SHOW and .NOSHOW directives.

Table 2-5
/NOSHOW Qualifier

/SHOW and

Long

Form

BINARY

Short

Form

MEB

Functions

Default

Function

/NOSHOW

Lists macro expansions and
repeat block expansions
that generate binary code;
BINARY is a subset of
EXPANSIONS

CALLS

/ SHOW

CONDITIONALS

CND

/SHOW

Lists macro calls and
repeat block specifiers

Lists

unsatisfied
code
associated with the
conditional assembly
directives
conditional

DEFINITIONS

/SHOW

Lists macro and repeat
range definitions that
appear in an input source
file

EXPANSIONS

/NOSHOW

Lists macro and repeat
range expansions

2.1.3

Diagnostic Messages

If the assembler encounters an error during assembly,
it
displays
a
diagnostic
message.
The
assembler
displays
the
message
on
the
terminal (for interactive jobs) or in the batch log
file
(for
batch
jobs) and in the listing file.
Appendix A describes

the

VAX-11

MACRO diagnostic messages.

USING

VAX-1ll

MACRO

There are two levels of severity:
error and warning.
Object
modules
created
with
an
error
message cannot be linked into an image file.
Object modules created with a warning message can be
1linked
into
an
image file although the linker will display a diagnostic message.
The

assembler

displays

EMACRO-1-code,

diagnostic

messages

the

following

format:

text

1
A

severity

value

of W

code

for

indicator.

has

value

for

error

warning.

code

abbreviation

the message

The

explanation

the

text.

text

For

message.

example:

$MACRO-E-ILLMASKBITS,

The assembler
information:
e

The

displays

line

from

Reserved

the

bits

terminal

listing

that

set

batch

would

ENTRY mask

log
,

precede

file

the

error

if
there
were a listing file.
This line is often
line that contains the error, but sometimes
it
1is
binary expansion of the source line.
e
If

The

the

error

assembler

message
has

following

message

the source
only
the

itself.

detected

any

errors

during

the

assembly

process,

it
displays
a diagnostic summary when the assembly is completed.
It
displays this summary on the terminal or batch log
file
and
1listing
file.
The
summary
contains the total number of errors and warnings
with the line number and page
number
(enclosed
in
parentheses)
of
each,
list of
2.2.6).
An

The
the

example

assembler also displays at
file specifications in
the

diagnostic

summary

the end
MACRO

of the error summary a
command
(see
Section

follows.

$ MACRO/LIST PROG
There

were

100

(1)

400
/LIST

(5)
PROG

errors
1100

and
(1)

warnings,
400

(2)

lines:

200

(3)

800

(3)

1200

(3)

USING

2.2

LISTING

FILE

VAX-11

MACRO

FORMAT

The listing file produced by VAX-11 MACRO has the following six parts.

The

Table

Source

statements

Symbol

table

Program

Cross-reference

Assembly

following

contains

contents

section

Table

the

source

module

VAX-11

MACRO

prints

table

the

line

The

number

hexadecimal

listing

top

and

these

Page

contains
a

table

all

subtitle

the

listed with

The

the

listing,

the

module

specified

after

the

Date

Time

Assembler

Listing

line

source

listing.

.SUBTITLE

page number

and

listing file when it
encounters
it encounters a new page in the
page of the listing is
filled.
On

title

specified

the

directives,

assembly

the

Comment

second

the

when

2.2.7

directive.

1line

Title

Section

.SUBTITLE

before

subtitles

first

parts.

optional

contents

.SUBTITLE

page

six

Headings
any

lists

the

each

lines.
The
information:

code

listing.

VAX-11] MACRO prints a new page in
a
.PAGE directive in the source,
source file, or when the existing
the

headings

(optional)

describe

Contents

contents

directives.

page

synopsis

sections

2.2.1

The

and

summary

example

(optional)

VAX-11]

header

the

MACRO

contains

the

prints

two

the

header

following

.TITLE directive

module

the

.TITLE

directive

day
version

page
of

identification

number

the

header

contains

the

following

The identifying information specified in
(often used to specify a version number)

Subtitle of
the
section
.SUBTITLE directive

Source

file

creation

Source

file

specification

Source

page

number

date

the

and

time

the

module

information:
.IDENT

specified

directive

1in

the

USING

2.2.2

Source

Statements

and

This section is the main
lines
of the module and
code

contains

The

The line
numbers,

source

The

the

Code

listing:

including

location

The

hexadecimal

or,
the

code
code

is printed
listed for

The

addressing

mode

for

the

first

The

addressing

mode

for

the

second

The

addressing

mode

for

the

third

listed

the

data

items

data

type

Data

Type

storage

that

are

listed

the

file

has

1line

line

operand

operand
operand

from
one

(if

any)

(if

any)

(if

any)

right

line

depends

1left.
on

The

the

size

follows:
Number

Byte

Word

Longword

Quadword

ASCII
Packed

source
line

with the lowest address on the
right.
an instruction contains, from right to

opcode

for

the
Each

code

The

code

contains

generated.

counter

binary

code

comments

number from the editor
the sequence number of

The

number

Hexadecimal

part

line,

The hexadecimal
The hexadecimal
left:

MACRO

the hexadecimal
following information:

the

VAX-11

decimal

Items

per

(characters)

(digits)

Line

string
If

expression

lists

the

assembler
externally

will

contains

wvalue

evaluates
defined

complete

the

externally
expression

expression

symbol.

evaluation

The

defined

assigning

value

apostrophe

the

symbol,

followed

indicates

the

assembler

apostrophe.
of
that

0
the

The
the

linker

expression.

VAX-11

MACRO also prints the diagnostic messages in
this
section
of
the
1listing.
It prints each diagnostic message immediately after the
line at which the
error
was
detected.
See
Section
2.1.3
for
a
description of the diagnostic message format and Appendix A for a list

the

VAX-11

MACRO diagnostic

messages.

USING

2.2.3

Symbol

VAX-11 MACRO

Table

The symbol table lists all symbols, except permanent symbols, that are
defined
or
referred
to
in
the
module.
The
symbols
are listed
alphabetically, in three columns.
The symbol's value (when known)
1is
listed
next
to
the
symbol.
If the symbol is assigned a value by a
direct
assignment
statement
or
a
directive
(such
as
the
.NARG
directive),
the
symbol is separated from the value by an equal sign.
If the symbol is defined externally (the value is unknown), the
value
is listed as a string of asterisks.
The following letters are used in
the symbol table to describe special attributes of symbols.
Letter

Meaning

The symbol

is a local

The symbol

is globally defined

The

The symbol

is a weak global

The

is defined externally.

The symbol
.DISABLE
undefined

made

available

symbol

the debugger.

will

in a module.

relocatable.

.WEAK directive).

symbol

that

is
not
GLOBAL
symbol

symbol

defined
has
been
is
not

(specified

(produced
when
specified
and
specified
in

.EXTERNAL)
.

If a symbol is defined externally or
as
a
relocatable
value,
the
number
of
the
program section in which it appears first is printed.
See Section 2.2.4 for information about program section numbers.

2.2.4

Program

Section

Synopsis

The program section synopsis lists the program sections,
their
size,
their
attributes,
and
their
alignment.
The
program sections are
listed in the order in which they are defined in
the
program.
Each
program section is assigned a number based on the order in which it is
defined in the program:
this number is printed after the size of
the
program

2.2.5

section.

Cross-Reference

Listing

The assembler lists the cross references separately for the
following
groups:
symbols, macros, directives, opcodes, and registers.
Within
each group each item is listed alphabetically.
following information is listed:
e

Symbol

Value

Line number

Line number and page number

For

each

1item,

name

and page

number

the

of each

symbol's definition

reference

the

symbol

the

USING

VAX-11

MACRO

You control which groups are cross referenced by specifying values
in
the
/CROSS
qualifier.
You
can
exclude
certain
symbols from the
cross-reference listing by using the .CR0OSS and .NOCROSS directives.

2.2.6
The

Assembly Summary
assembly

summary

indicators,

specifications

contains

diagnostic
in

internal

summary,

and

assembler

the

performance

qualifiers

and

file

the MACRO command.

The internal assembler performance indicators include the page faults,
CPU
time,
and elapsed time for the different stages of the assembly.
In addition, the indicators include the
working
set
1limit
and
the
number
of
symbols,
source lines, object records, and macros and the
memory required to process these.
If the assembler detected any errors
diagnostic
summary
in
the listing
If no errors occurred, the assembler
the

assembly

summary:

There

were

errors

in the module, it prints the same
that it displays on the terminal.
prints the following
message
in

warnings.

The last line in the
1listing
file
shows
the
specifications entered in the MACRO command.

2,2.7

The

Assembly

following

Listing

pages

qualifiers

and

Example

show an

example

typical

assembly

listing.

file

JTYD(1z) (0Z0¢7O3=adnSepUwaTdIoNSiOUOdYT3A©I0T1FU3TUOIpapPJS9U[Td0WUdTSS139WyUITIe
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USING
VAX-11

2-14

MACRO

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USING
MACRO

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USING
MACRO

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VAX-11l

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MACRO

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MACRO

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USING
VAX-11l

2-19

MACRO

(2)

CHAPTER
WRITING

POSITION-INDEPENDENT

CODE

An object module produced by VAX-11 MACRO is relocatable;
that is, it
can
be
1linked
anywhere
in
virtual
memory.
The
1linker modifies
relocatable
addresses
so
that
they
reflect
the
virtual
memory
locations
in
which
the module will run.
Once linked, the image can
only be moved in
virtual
memory
if
the
source
code
follows
the
restrictions
described
in
this
chapter.
Source code that follows
these

restrictions,

and

thus

can

moved

virtual

memory,

called

"position-independent
code."
Source
code that does not follow these
restrictions is called "position-dependent code."
1Images linked
from
position-dependent
code will run correctly only at one virtual memory
location.

Position
image.

independence is important if you
are
creating
a
shareable
To
use
a
shareable
1image,
you must relink it with object

modules.
can

1If

place

position

the

shareable

anywhere

dependent,

address,

You

shareable

images

the

cannot

image

linker

link

that

virtual

independent,
If

the

place

must

object

position
memory.

modules

virtual

with

two

the

shareable

fixed

linker
image

virtual

position-dependent,

address.

The linker does not use the position-independent
code
(PIC)
program
section
attribute
to determine whether a shareable image is position
independent.
The linker assumes that when it is linking
a
shareable
image,
the
shareable image is position independent unless the source

code

contains

was

specified

shareable

the

image

LINK

.ADDRESS

the
that

command

Otherwise,

the

independent
and
the VAX-11 Linker
shareable images.
Position
source

The

following

are

always

instruction

or unless a base
address
Consequently, if you are linking a
dependent, specify a base address
in

use

.ADDRESS

will

assume

directive

that

the

depends

the

way

chapter

the

addressing

addresses

assumes

described

are

that

Chapter

stored

vyou
4

are
the

addressing
position

that

the

image

source
is

code.

position

the shareable image will not execute correctly.
See
Reference Manual for
more
information
on
1linking

and

remainder of this
addressing
modes
Reference Manual.

directive

command.

position

1linker

independence
code

assembler

LINK

modes

used

the

program.

The

the

familiar
VAX-11

MACRO

with

the

Language

modes involve only
register
references
and
independent if the register's value is set by an

itself position

independent.

WRITING

POSITION-INDEPENDENT CODE

Format

Mode

(Rn)

(Rn) +

Autoincrement

@(Rn)+

Autoincrement

-(Rn)

Autodecrement

deferred

The displacement addressing modes
are
position
independent
if
the
expression
specifying
the
displacement
1is
absolute
and
1if
the
register's value is set by an instruction that is position independent
itself.

The

displacement

addressing modes

are

Format

Mode

dis (Rn)

Displacement

@dis (Rn)

Displacement deferred

listed

below.

Relative
and
relative
deferred
addressing
modes
are
position
independent
1if
the
address
expression
1is
relocatable.
Absolute
addressing mode is position independent if the address
expression
is
absolute
(for
example, an address in the system space).
Because the
linker converts general addressing mode to relative if the
expression
is
relocatable
and
converts
it
to
absolute
1if the expression is
absolute, using general addressing
mode
ensures
that
the
code
is
position
independent.
Table 3-1 summarizes the position independence
or

dependence

relative

and

absolute

Table

Relative

and

modes.

3-1

Absolute

Addressing

Position

Modes

Independence/Dependence

Mode

Address Expression

Relocatable

Absolute

Relative

Position

independent

Position dependent

Relative

Position

independent

Position dependent

Address

Expression

Deferred

Absolute

Position dependent

Position

independent

General

Position

independent

The index addressing modes are position independent if the
base
mode
is position independent and if the index register contains an absolute
number

(not

address).

In addition, to ensure position independence, you must make sure
that
no
addresses are stored as data.
For example, if you have a table of
pointers, the code will be position dependent.
But if you replace the
table
of
©pointers
with
a table of displacements from a relocatable
address, then the code can be position independent.

WRITING

remainder

of
different

MOVL

# TABADDR,
RO

MOVAB

TABADDR,RO

MOVAB
MOVL

IOCSGL_DEVLIST,RO
#I0CSGL_DEVLIST,RO

This example demonstrates the
writing
position-independent

use of
code.

example

1
POSITION-DEPENDENT

Example

this chapter presents four examples showing
the
use
addressing modes to write position-independent code.

POSITION-INDEPENDENT

wWe

the

POSITION-DEPENDENT

The
of

POSITION-INDEPENDENT CODE

POSITION-INDEPENDENT

is
not.
But,
if
the
address
1is
absolute,
position-independent and relative mode is not.

absolute

R3.

CHARS,R3

4 (R3) ,RO

MOVL

#4,R3

MOVB

CHARS[R,RO
3]

MOVAB

MOVB

Compare

position

PUT

POSITION-DEPENDENT
PUT

POSITION-INDEPENDENT

CODE

PUT

POSITION-INDEPENDENT CODE

OFFSET

ADDRESS
OFFSET

This example demonstrates the use of displacement and
writing position-independent code.
The address CHARS

are

#4,R3
CHARS (R3) ,RO

with

mode

MOVL

address.

address is
absolute
mode

\ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ\

MOVB

dependent,

relocatable

the

WMy

(ASCII

CHARS:

CODE

relative and
absolute
modes
in
All
the
instructions
1in this

move an address to RO.
The address TABADDR is
address;
the
address IOCSGL DEVLIST is absolute.
If
relocatable, relative mode is position-independent and

Example

CODE

the

two
independent.

first

addressing

following

mode,

equivalent

LETTER

OF
OF

CHARS

LETTER

index
is

which

addressing

CODE
R3.
IN

R3.

modes
in
relocatable

1is

position

modes,

which

WRITING POSITION-INDEPENDENT CODE

Example

SETTING UP A STRING DESCRIPTOR IN A POSITION-DEPENDENT WAY
.ALIGN

DESCRIP:

;

; GET ADDRESS OF DESCRIPTOR

SETTING UP A STRING DESCRIPTOR IN A POSITION-INDEPENDENT WAY

;

STACK

WMo

#EOSTR-STR
SP,R2

POSITION-INDEPENDENT REFERENCE

TO GET ADDRESS

STR

PUSHAB

OF STRING ON THE

PUSH LENGTH OF STRING ON STACK
GET ADDRESS OF DESCRIPTOR

SETTING UP A LIST HEAD IN A POSITION-DEPENDENT WAY

QHEADA:
;

THE STRING
THE END OF STRING

BY CREATING THE STRING DESCRIPTOR ON THE STACK

PUSHL
MOVL
i

DESCRIPTOR

DESCRIP,R2

;

THIS

MOVAB

,ADDRESS

QHEADA

;

.ADDRESS

QHEADA

;

THIS IS POSITION DEPENDENT

SETTING UP A LIST HEAD IN A POSITION-INDEPENDENT WAY BY USING
EXECUTABLE

QHEADB:

.BLKA

;

CODE
MOVAB
MOVL

; RESERVE 2 LONGWORDS FOR ADDRESS

STORE ADDRESSES
QHEADB,RO
RO, (RO)
(RO)
+, (RO)

This example demonstrates a

way

GET THE ADDRESS OF THE LIST HEAD.
STORE THE FIRST ADDRESS (THE
FORWARD LINK).

MOVAL

STORAGE

STORE THE SECOND ADDRESS

SOURCE

INSTRUCTIONS TO STORE ADDRESSES
-

;

TO ACCESS

;
;

’

; LENGTH OF STRING.
; CODE IS POSITION DEPENDENT

EOSTR-STR
. LONG
STR
.ADDRESS
.ASCII
\AN ASCII STRING\

STR:
EOSTR:
;

LONG

;

BACKWARD

avoid

having

absolute

Both string descriptors used in
stored as data.
addresses
procedure calling standard and the list head for the INSQUE
To
addresses.
virtual
absolute
require
instructions
stored by
position independent, the addresses must be
instructions rather than as data

(THE

LINK).

in the source code.

virtual

the VAX-1l1
and REMQUE
code
make
executable

WRITING

Example
;

POSITION-INDEPENDENT CODE

CREATING

POSITION-DEPENDENT

DISPATCH

DISPATBL:

;

TABLE
;s

LIST

«ADDRESS

ROUTINO

;

ABSOLUTE

.ADDRESS

ROUTIN1

;

ADDRESSES

.ADDRESS

ROUTIN2

;

CAUSING

.ADDRESS

ROUTIN3

;

POSITION

ROUTIN2

ENTERED

MOVL

THE

FOLLOWING

#<2*4> ,R3

@DISPATBL[R3]

CODE

DEPENDENT

INSTRUCTIONS

;

GET

OFFSET

;

ROUTIN2

OF ADDRESS

;

ENTER ROUTIN2

CREATING

-y

JSB

VIRTUAL

SOURCE

CODE

EQUIVALENT
IS

OFFSET

POSITION

LIST

USING

THE

CASE

INSTRUCTION

INDEPENDENT

DISPAT:

CASEB

R3,#0,#3

;

CASE

10$:

.SIGNED_WORD
. SIGNED_WORD

ROUTINO-10$
ROUTIN1-10%

;
;

LIST OF OFFSETS
FROM PC.

.SIGNED WORD

ROUTIN2-10$

.SIGNED:WORD
;

ROUTIN2

ENTERED

ROUTIN3-10$
BY

MOVL

THE

FOLLOWING

#2,R3

BSBB

DISPAT

;
'

INSTRUCTION

CODE IS

POSITION INDEPENDENT.

INSTRUCTIONS

;

GET

;

LIST

OFFSET

;

ENTER

;

INSTRUCTION.

ROUTIN2

OFFSETS

ROUTIN2

USING

CASE

This example
demonstrates
another
way
to
avoid
storing
absolute
virtual
addresses
as
data.
The
dispatch table is a list of entry
points to routines.
This is a frequently used way to enter one
of
a
series
of
routines,
but
the
code is position dependent.
The same
functionality can usually be provided in a position-independent way by
using the CASE instruction, which transfers control to a routine based
on

offset

the

PC.

APPENDIX

DIAGNOSTIC

MESSAGES

If the assembler encounters an error during an assembly, it displays a
diagnostic
message
on
the
terminal
or
batch
log file and in the
listing file (if there is one).
The general format
of
VAX-11
MACRO

diagnostic

messages

is:

$MACRO-1-code,

text

severity

value

level

of W

indicator.

for

has

value

for

error

warning.

code
An

abbreviation of the message
this appendix are alphabetized

text;

the

message

descriptions

this code.

text

The
For

explanation

the

message.

example:

¥MACRO-E-ILLMASKBITS,

Some

input

and

output

Reserved

diagnostic

bits

set

messages

are

ENTRY mask

followed

RMS

error

message.

Listed

below are

assembler.
of

the

Each

error

ADRLSTSYNX,

diagnostic

message

and

Address

list

Action:

Severity:

ALIGNXCEED,

directive
directive
be caused

syntax

action

the

explanation

correct

the

VAX-11

MACRO

cause

the

error.

error

address

1list

1in

the

.ADDRESS

directive

error.

Correct

Alignment

the

user

displayed
by

the

syntax.

Error

Explanation:
than

messages

accompanied

recommended

Explanation:
The
contained a syntax

User

exceeds

The

program

PSECT

alignment

.ALIGN directive
section

specified

alignment.

For

alignment

example,

the

larger
.PSECT

specified byte alignment (the default) and
the
.ALIGN
specified a longword alignment.
This message can also
by
-a .PSECT directive with an illegal alignment.

DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGES

.PSECT
The
alignments.
conflicting
Correct
Action:
User
directive
should
specify
the largest alignment required in the
program

section.

Severity:

ARGTOOLONG,

Error

Argument

too

long

Explanation:

An argument was more than

User Action:

Reduce

Severity:

ASCTOOLONG,

the

length of

512 characters long.

the argument.

Error

ACSII

string

too

long

than
longer
The string in an .ASCIC directive was
Explanation:
255 characters or the string in an .ASCID directive was more than
65535

characters.

User Action:
Severity:

ASGNMNTSYNX,

Reduce the length of the string.

Error

Assignment

syntax

error

A direct assignment statement

Explanation:

contained

syntax

error.

User

Action:

Severity:

BADENTRY,

Bad

and

format

BADLEXARG,

syntax.

for

The

.ENTRY

statement

.ENTRY directive did not specify an entry point

entry mask.

User Action:
Severity:

the

Error

Explanation:
name

Correct

Correct the

.ENTRY directive syntax.

Error

Illegal

lexical

function

argument

was
operator
string
macro
a
to
argument
The
Explanation:
invalid.
String
arguments
can
be
macro arguments or strings
Symbol
delimited by angle brackets or the circumflex delimiters.
arguments can be absolute symbols or decimal integers.
User

Action:

Severity:

Correct

Error

the

argument

syntax.

DIAGNOSTIC

BADLEXFORM,

Illegal

format

for

Explanation:

The macro

User

Correct

Action:

Severity:

BADLOGICPC,

Explanation:
was

(SPR).

listing

User

error

The

address

produce

assembler

displayed
be

invalid

object

Correct

the
VAX-~-1ll
MACRO
PC at the time the

the

not

the

value

command

syntax

the

produce

error

is
Software

error

the

object

reproducible,
Problem Report

message

and

the

SPR.

listing

with

value;
XXXXX
assembler does

file.

the

correct

syntax.

error

block

directive

destination

The

too

from

away

displacements
current
of

address
the

have
PC.

from

repeat

block

directive

syntax.

1logic

instruction.

Error

PC.

from
to

the

Branch

-128

instruction

bytes

that

range

specified

range

Branch
-32768

out

current

User Action: Use a branch
instead
of
one
with
a
instruction instead of
a

Severity:

XXXXX

Error

Explanation:

branch

with

keyword

the

directive

Branch

program

does

module

Reenter

Action:

range

error.

Error

Severity:

included

Explanation:
A conditional
contained a syntax error.

the

syntax

syntax.

A command qualifier had an
illegal
value specified in the command.
The

Block

far

detected

assembly.
1If the
manager to submit a

should

Action:

BRDESTRANGE,

operator

Error

Severity:

User

string

the

system

program

xxxxx

BLKDIRSYNX,

macro

contained

file.

Retry

Explanation:
indicates the
not

logic

detected.

Severity:

BADVALUE,

the

operator

XxXxXXX

User Action:
notify
your
source

string

function

There was an internal error
1indicates the value of

assembler;
error

lexical

Error

Internal

module

MESSAGES

instruction

instructions

bytes

with

+32767

branch

word

bytes

+127

branch

bytes

from

the

destination

was
byte

from

displacements

instruction with a
word
byte
displacement;
use
branch
instruction;
or
the

with

current

have
PC.

displacement
a jump (JMP)

change
closer

the
the

DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGES

CANTFINDMAC, Can't locate macro in macro libraries
Explanation:

A macro name specified in a

not defined

in the macro

User Action:

Specify,

that defines

the macro.

Severity:

CLOSEIN,

.MCALL

libraries searched.

in the MACRO command,

the

directive
macro

was

library

Error

Error closing file-spec as

input

The assembler encountered an I/O error when closing
Explanation:
file-spec is the file
or macro library file;
source
input
an
specification of the

Retry the operation or make a new copy of the

User Action:
and

file

retry the operation with the copy.

Severity:

CLOSEOUT,

file being closed.

Error

file-spec as output

Error closing

The assembler encountered an I/O error when closing
Explanation:
the
file
1is
file-spec
file;
listing
or
object
output
an
specification of

Severity:

DATALSTSYNX,

file being

closed.

Retry the operation.

User Action:
notify your

the

If the error is reproducible,

system manager.

Error

Data

list

syntax

error

syntax
a
The data list in the directive contained
Explanation:
directive .LONG 3,,5 contains a data
the
example,
For
error.
two
the
list syntax error because there is no data item between
commas.

User Action:
Severity:

DATATRUNC,

Data

Correct the syntax of the data list.

Error

truncation error

given
The specified value did not fit in the
Explanation:
type.
The assembler truncated the value so that it fit.

User Action:

ASCII

Severity:

DIRSYNX,

Reduce the value or the number of characters in

string or

change

the data

type.

Warning

Directive

syntax

error

Explanation:

The directive

User Action:

Correct the syntax of the directive.

Severity:

Error

contained a

syntax error.

data

DIAGNOSTIC

DIVBYZERO,

Division

zero

Explanation:

User

Change

Action:

Severity:

EMSKNOTABS,

Explanation:

The

Severity:

values

Statement

Severity:

ends

The

mask

the

values

wrong

overflowed

User

The

Change

Action:

Severity:

absolute

the

expression.

MACRO

specified

different

name

than

the .ENDM directive
to
ensure
.MACRO
directive correspond as

32-bits

value of the expression could not be stored
bits).
The assembler truncated the value to

the

values

the

in
32

expression.

Warning

Floating

point

Explanation:

User

Correct

Action:

Severity:

syntax

error

floating-point
the

constant

syntax

the

contained

syntax

error.

constant.

Warning

Generated

ERROR:

xxxXxX

Explanation:

value

expression

text

specified

Action:

the

Severity:

not

.MACRO directive.

(32

User

was

Error

Expression

the

expression.

expression

.ENDM directive

Explanation:
a
longword
bits.

GENERR,

symbols.

User Action:
Correct the name in
that
the
.ENDM
directive
and
required.

FLTPNTSYNX,

the

division

Error

corresponding

EXPOVR32,

absolute

entry

Change

Explanation:

its

not

undefined

Action:

ENDWRNGMAC,

the

contained

Warning

mask

User

error

expression

Entry

contained

MESSAGES

the

Error

message

.ERROR directive

was

specified

the

assembled;
the

xxxxx

directive;

directive.

instructions

in the

message.

and

1is

the

message

DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGES

GENWRN,

Generated WARNING:

XXXXX message

xxxxx 1is the
Explanation: A .WARN directive was assembled;
and message
value of the expression specified in the directive;
is the text specified in the directive.

Follow the instructions in the message.

User Action:
Severity:

IFDIRSYNX,

Warning

IF directive syntax error

A conditional assembly directive contained a syntax

Explanation:
error.

Correct the syntax of the directive.

User Action:
Severity:

Error

IF expression not absolute

IFEXPRNTABS,

not

levels

decrease

nesting

directive

was

.IF directive
Explanation: The expression in a
absolute expression or contained undefined symbols.
User Action:
Severity:

IFLEVLXCED,

Change the values in the expression.

Error

IF nesting level exceeded

Explanation:

The assembler encountered more than

User Action:

Restructure the

nested conditional assembly blocks.
conditional assembly blocks.
Severity:

program

Error

ILLARGDESC, Illegal operand argument descriptor

Explanation:

The operand descriptor in an .OPDEF

User Action:

Use one of the valid operand descriptors.

invalid.

Severity:

ILLASCARG,

Error

Illegal ASCII argument

Explanation: The argument to an .ASCIx directive did not have
enclosing delimiters or an expression was not enclosed in angle

brackets.

User Action:
Severity:

Correct the syntax of the argument.

Error

DIAGNOSTIC

ILLBRDEST,

Illegal

branch

Explanation:
address,

User
use

jump

destination

example,

Action:
a

Severity:

ILLCHR,

The

for

Change

(JMP)

MESSAGES

BRB

the

destination

User

illegal

Action:

Severity:

Delete

Illegal

Action:

or
expression.

Severity:

and

instruction

character

that

was

character.

.DEFAULT

was

directive

did
not

not
BYTE,

specify

DISPLACEMENT

WORD,

LONGWORD.

.DEFAULT directive.

wunary
right

the

operator
angle

syntax

was

not

brackets

the

did

followed

not

match

expression.

condition

The

condition

wvalid

IDENTICAL

User Action:
directive.

ILLINDXREG,

branch

Error

Explanation:

Severity:

the

Correct

Illegal

DIFFERENT

for

specified

radix

1left

Action:

not

the

expression

Explanation:

was

contained

.DEFAULT directive

Correct

number,

ILLIFCOND,

Error

Illegal

User

the

argument

displacement

Severity:

ILLEXPR,

not

Error

Explanation:

User

was

character

line

the

instruction

instruction.

Explanation:
The source
illegal in its context.

branch

Error

Illegal

ILLDFLTARG,

10(R9).

specified

condition,

Correct

there

conditional
were

symbols

assembly
after

condition,

the

syntax

the

conditional

assembly

Error

Invalid

index

Explanation:
The base mode changed the value of the register and
the index register was the same as the register in the base mode;
the base mode was literal or immediate mode;
or PC was
used
as
the index register.
User

Action:

Severity:

Correct

Error

the

addressing

mode.

DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGES

ILLMACARGNM,

The name

Explanation:
illegal

.MACRO

the

directive

contained

character.

Delete the

User Action:
Severity:

ILLMACNAM,

MACRO argument name

Illegal

illegal character.

Error

Illegal MACRO name

name

macro

was

specified

.MACRO

the

Explanation:

User Action:

Specify the macro name in the .MACRO directive.

directive.

Severity:

Error

ILLMASKBITS, Reserved bits set in ENTRY mask

The register

Explanation:

save

mask

LENTRY

.MASK

directive specified RO, R1l, AP, or PC registers (corresponding to
bits

12,

ILLMODE,

13).

Remove these registers from the register save mask.

User Action:
Severity:

and

Error

mode

Illegal

Explanation:

An invalid addressing mode for the instruction

User Action:

Specify a legal addressing mode.

was

specified.

Severity:

ILLOPDEF,

Error

Illegal format

for

.OPDEF

.OPDEF directive had incorrect syntax.

Explanation:

The

User Action:

Correct the

Severity:

.OPDEF directive syntax.

Error

ILLOPDEFVAL, Illegal value for opcode definition

Explanation:

The value specified in the .OPDEF directive did not

User Action:

Correct the value in the directive.

fit

two

Severity:

bytes.

Error

ILLREGHERE,

This

Explanation:
PUSHL

(PC).

User

Action:

Severity:

ILLREGNUM,

This

Use

Illeqal

was

User

may

used

not

another

not

the

cannot

here

used

here,

Severity:

FP,

Correct

name

SP,

the

was

not

the

illegal

range

exceeds

Action:

INSVIRMEM,

Truncate

Explanation:

The

definitions

definition

called

terminated

the

User
the

Action:
system

INVALIGN,

the

virtual

module

name

name.

Action:

LINETOOLONG,

being
the

itself

assembly.

assembled
virtual

recursive

the virtual
reduce the

has

memory

too

many

symbols

available

definition).

The

and:

macro

assembler

memory available by contacting
level of macro nesting;
split

modules;

eliminate

the

integer

Correct

the

keyword

syntax

the

followed

.ALIGN

the

.ALIGN

directive.

Error

Line

too

long

source

line

characters.

User Action:
shorter.

Severity:

characters.

alignment

Explanation:' A
500

The

Error

Invalid

Severity:

characters.

memory

for

1Increase
manager;

Explanation:
directive,

User

R12

characters

the module
into
several
smaller
recursive macro definition.

Severity:

through

Warning

Insufficient

macro

name.

Error

Symbol

Severity:

example,

Explanation:
The symbol name was longer than 15
assembler truncated the name to 15 characters.
User

for

number

Action:

ILLSYMLEN,

MESSAGES

Error

Explanation:
or

DIAGNOSTIC

Restructure

Error

the

macro

source

definition

code

that

was

longer

the

1line

than

DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGES

MACLBFMTERR, Macro library format error

A format error occurred in the macro library.

Explanation:

User Action: Retry the assembly and, if the error still occurs,
use the LIBRARY command (see the VAX/VMS Command Language User's
Guide) to re-create the library from the source code.
Error

Severity:

MAYNOTINDEX, This mode may not be indexed

Explanation:

The base mode was register, immediate,

User Action:

Change the addressing mode.

1literal

mode.

Error

Severity:

MCHINSTSYNX, Machine instruction syntax error

occurred

Explanation:

A syntax error

User Action:

Correct the instruction syntax.

example,

MOVL,

Severity:

instruction,

for

Error

MISSINGEND, Missing

.END statement

Explanation: There was no .END directive at the end of the
The assembler inserted an .END directive after the last
module.
line.

User Action:
Severity:

Insert a .END directive.

Warning

MSGCMAIIF, Missing comma in ,IIF statement

Explanation:

The condition was not separated from the

User Action:

1Insert a comma in the directive.

in an

statement

.IIF directive.

Severity:

Error

MULDEFLBL, Multiple definition of label

Explanation:

The same label was defined twice in the module.

User Action:

Delete the second label definition or change one of

the labels to a different symbol name.
Severity:

Error

A-10

DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGES

NOFORMALARG,

formal

argument

Explanation:
directive.

There were

User Action:

Correct

Severity:

NOTDECSTRNG,

Illegal

Explanation:
digits 0

the

formal

syntax

Severity:

character

Correct

the

syntax

legal

ENABLE

option

Severity:

Not

Delete

enough

Action:

The
the

assembly

the

operands

NOTINMACRO,

the

.ENABLE

than

decimal

string.

.DISABLE

replace

directive

with

was

legal

than

were

supplied

requires

operands

outside

condition

.IF_FALSE,

subconditional

operands

change

the

instruction.

body

.IF_TRUE,

.IF_TRUE_FALSE,

directive

was

not

.IFF,
a

block.

the

subconditional

delete

the

. IFT,

conditi onal

directive
with
subconditional directive.

Error

Statement

not

Explanation:
or expansion.

The

User Action:
directive.

Delete

Severity:

instruction

User
Action:
Replace
conditional directive or

Severity:

statement.

Add

Statement

L.IFTF

string

Error

Explanation:
or

.IRPC directive.

Error

Explanation:

NOTINANIF,

.IRPC

option

User Action:
option.

Severity:

.IRP or

A decimal string contained a character
other
9 and a leading plus or minus sign.

User

.IRP or

in an

Error

Not

specified

decimal

Explanation:
An argument
not a legal option.

NOTENUFOPR,

arguments

through

Action:

NOTENABLOPT,

.IRP/.IRPC

Error

the

User

for

.NARG

MACRO

body

directive

move

Error

A-11

was not

the

1line

macro

containing

defini tion

the

. NARG

DIAGNOSTIC

NOTLGLISTOP,

Not a legal

Explanation:
The
directive was not

User Action:
legal

MESSAGES

listing option

argument to a .SHOW,
a legal option.

Delete the

illegal

.NOSHOW,

option

.LIST,

.NLIST

replace

with

the

.PSECT directive was

option.

Severity:

NOTPSECTOPT,

Error

Not

a valid

Explanation:

PSECT option

The attribute

specified

invalid.

User Action:
valid

Severity:

OPENIN,

Delete the

invalid attribute or

replace

with

one.

Error

opening

file-spec

input

Explanation:
The assembler encountered an I/0 error when opening
an
input
source
or
macro library file;
file-spec is the file
specification of the file being opened.
This message is produced
when

the

file

User Action:
file

and

Severity:

OPENOUT,

Error

then

cannot

found.

Retry the assembly or make a new copy of the
retry

the

assembly.

inpud\

Error

opening

file-spec

as output

Explanation:
The assembler encountered an 1/0 error when opening
an
output
object module or listing file;
file-spec is the file
specification of the file being opened.
This message is produced
when the device is write locked or is not mounted.
User

Action:

reproducible,

Severity:

OPRNDSYNX,

Retry

the

notify your

assembly

the

Error

Operand

syntax

error

Explanation:

An operand contained a

User Action:

Correct

Severity:

and,

system manager.

the operand

Error

A-12

syntax error.

syntax.

error

DIAGNOSTIC

PACKTOOLONG,

Packed

Explanation:
than

User

Action:

string

The numeric

too

string

long

in a

.PACKED directive had

Reduce

the

length

the

decimal

Conflicting

section

User Action:
directive(s).
Severity:

PSECTBUFOVF,

string.

Error

PSECT

options

Explanation:
The
values
specified
in
a
conflicted
with
each
other
or were not the
specified in a preceding .PSECT directive that
program

digits.

Severity:

PSECOPCNFLC,

decimal

MESSAGES

.PSECT
directive
same as the values
specified the same

name.

Correct

the

conflicting

values

the

LPSECT

Error

PSECT

context

buffer

overflow

Explanation:
The
.SAVE PSECT
directive
attempted
to
save
a
section
context when the program section context buffer
was filled.
A maximum of 31
program
section
contexts
can
be
saved in the buffer.
program

User

Action:

Severity:

PSECTBUFUND,

Reduce

Explanation:
was

User

context

The

section

program

section

nesting.

buffer

underflow

.RESTORE_PSECT directive

attempted

context

section

when

the

program

restore

context

buffer

empty.

Action:

corresponds

Severity:

READERR,

amount

Error

PSECT

program

the

error

Ensure
a

that

.SAVE_PSECT

each

.RESTORE_PSECT

Error

reading

file-spec

Explanation:
The assembler encountered an
an
input
source
or
macro library file;
specification of the file being read.
User Action:
Retry
input file and then

Severity:

directive

directive.

the

assembly,

retry

the

create

assembly.

Error

A~13

I/0O error when reading
file-spec is the file

new

copy

the

DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGES

REGOPSYNX, Register operand syntax error

Explanation:

The addressing mode syntax contained an error.

User Action:

Correct the addressing mode syntax.

Severity:

RMSERROR,

Error

RMS service error

Explanation:

The assembler encountered an error during a

VAX-ll

User Action:

Retry the operation;

the

VAX-1l

Record

.BYTE,

.WORD,

. LONG,

RMS operation.

consult

Management Services Reference Manual for more information.
Severity:

Error

RPTCNTNTABS, Repeat count not absolute

repeat

count

Explanation:

The

User Action:

Replace the expression with an absolute

.SIGNED_WORD directive contained an undefined
or
.SIGNED_BYTE,
expression.
relative
a
symbol or was
expression

that does not contain any undefined symbols.

Severity:

Error

SYMDCLEXTRN, Symbol declared external

Explanation:
a
specified

statement
A label definition or direct assignment
that was previously declared external in a
symbol

User Action:

Delete the external declaration or change the

.EXTERNAL directive.

symbol.

internal

the

Severity:

Error

SYMDEFINMOD, Symbol

is defined in module

Explanation:

A .EXTERNAL directive specified a

User Action:

Delete

previously defined

internal

Severity:

SYMNOTABS,

name

1label

that

was

rename

the

in the module.

the

external

declaration

symbol.

Error

Symbol

is not absolute

Explanation:

The argument in

User Action:

Ensure

macro

string

defined

operator

was

relative symbol or was undefined.

that

symbol

symbol.

Severity:

Error

A-14

absolute

DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGES

SYMOUTPHASE,

Symbol

out

phase

Explanation:
A label
definition
specified
a
1label
that
was
defined
later
in
the
module;
or
a
local
1label definition
specified a local label that was defined later in the same
1local
label block.
User

Action:

module

label

block.

Severity:

TEXT,

input

file

Action:

Severity:

TOOMNYARGS,

that
local

the

label

is defined
defined

only

only once
once

in
the

the
local

Too

given

The macro
only macro
Specify

command did not
library files.
source

file

contain any source

the

command

files;

line.

Error

many

Explanation:
specified in
User

the

Error

Explanation:
it contained
User

Ensure

that

Action:

arguments

MACRO

call

The macro call contained more arguments
than
the .MACRO directive in the macro definition.
Ensure

that

the

macro

call corresponds

operands

for

instruction

were

the

macro

for

the

sections

were

definition.

Severity:

TOOMNYOPRND,

Error

Too

many

Explanation:
instruction.
User

Action:

Severity:

TOOMNYPSECT,

Too

many

Reduce

the

number

were

specified

operands.

Error

Too

many

PSECTs

Explanation:
declared.

User

Reduce

Action:

Severity:

operands

than

the

declared

255

user-defined

number

Error

A-15

program

sections.

DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGES

UNDEFSYMBOL,

Undefined

Explanation:
local
1label

symbol

A local label was referred to but not defined in
a
block;
or,
if
GLOBAL was disabled, a symbol was

referred to but not defined in

the

module

specified

.EXTERNAL directive,

User Action:
symbol

Define the local label or symbol,

in a

Severity:

UNDEFXFRADR,

.EXTERNAL directive.

specify

the

Error

Undefined

transfer

address

Explanation:
The .END directive
specified
a
transfer
address
that
was
not
defined in the module or specified in a .EXTERNAL
directive.

User Action:

Define the transfer address or delete it

.END directive.

Severity:

UNPROQUAL,

from

the

Error

Unprocessed qualifiers

was
qualifier
/CROSS
the
/SHOW or
the
Either
Explanation:
specified
without
the
/LIST qualifier.
The assembler does not
process the source file or produce an object module.

User Action:
Severity:

UNRECSTMT,

Reenter the command with the /LIST qualifier.

Error

Unrecognized

statement

Explanation:
user-defined

The
operator
was
opcode,
previously

User Action:

Change the operator to a valid

library.

or macro;

or define

Severity:

Error

UNTERMARG,

Unterminated

not
an
defined

the macro.

opcode,
directive,
macro,
or macro in a

opcode,

directive,

argument

Explanation:

The string argument was missing a delimiter or

User Action:

Add the delimiter or angle bracket.

macro argument was missing an angle bracket.

Severity:

Error

the

DIAGNOSTIC

UNTERMCOND,

Unterminated

Explanation:
a

J.ENDC

before

Severity:

Error

file

the

assembly block was

The

assembler

Add

the

.ENDC

writing

The

output

not
a

terminated
.ENDC

directive

directive.

file-spec

assembler
object

specification

encountered

module

the

file

Error

A-17

listing

being

User Action:
Retry the assembly.
notify your system manager.

Severity:

inserted

Error

Explanation:
to

A conditional

.END directive.

User Action:

WRITEERR,

conditional

directive.

the

MESSAGES

I/0
file;

error

written.
the

error

when

file-spec

writing
is

the

reproducible,

INDEX

Absolute addressing mode, 2-6
Addressing modes, 3-1, 3-2

Global

symbols,

1-4,

controlling,
2~6

position-independent,
through

role of, 1-3
summary, 2-13

Binary code,

2-11

Hexadecimal

code,

Identifying

Image,

location,

Code,
hexadecimal, 2-11
position-independent,

through
Command

Labels, 1-4
Library, macro,

2-1

Common

data areas, 1-6
Compatibility mode, vii

programs,

Conditional

blocks, controlling
listing of, 2-7, 2-8
Controlling the listing file, 2-7,
2-8
Cross

reference

listing,

2-5,

2-12,

2-13

/CROSS qualifier,

1-9,

2-3

2-5,

2-6

symbols,

2-5,

2-8, 2-9,
Executable image,

A-1

External

2-6

1-4

command,

2-1 through
libraries, vii, 1-5

2-8

1-5

controlling

listing

of,

2-7,

Messages,

diagnostic,

2-8, 2-9, A-1
A-17
Modular programming, 1-2

Native mode, vii
/NOLIST qualifier,

2-6

producing

File specifications,

1-7

2-7
/NOOBJECT qualifier, 2-7
/NOSHOW qualifier, 2-7, 2-8

O
2-2,

Floating point numbers,
of

2-8

2-7

identifying,

Format

2-7,

2-1,

symbols,

Local

2-6

A-17

/DISABLE qualifier,

Errors,

1-8

the,

Locations,

Macros,

1-4,

specifications,

qualifier,

controlling

creating

Macro

Developing a program, 1-1, 1-2
Diagnostic messages, A-1 through

/ENABLE

1-7,

2-6

/LIST qualifier, 2-7
Listing file, 2-10 through 2-19

MACRO

Data, sharing, 1-6
Debugging programs,
file

1-5,

2-5

Default

vii,

/LIBRARY qualifier, 2-6
Linking,
object modules, 1-7, 1-8

3-5

format,

1-4

vii

3-1

1-4

3-1

symbols,

C
from VAX-11l MACRO V1,

2-11

shareable,

Internal

Changes

2-6

3-1

3-5

Assembler,

Assembly

1-5,

statements,

2-3

Object modules,
creating,

2-6

1-1

linking,

2-1,

1-7,

2-7

1-8

/OBJECT qualifier,
Index-1

2-7

2-8

through

INDEX

Shareable image, 3-1
Sharing data, 1-6

/SHOW qualifier, 2-7, 2-8
Source statements, 2-11
Specifications, file, 2-2
Statement format, 1-1
Statements, source, 2-11
Suppressing listing of
unreferenced symbols,

Page headings, listing, 2-10
PIC attribute, 3-1
Position~-independent code,
3-1 through 3-5
Program,

debugging, 1-4, 1-9, 2-6
developing, 1-1, 1-2
linking, 1-7, 1-8
modular, 1-2
sections, 1~-5 through 1-7
segmenting, 1-5, 1-6

Symbol

2-3

Table, symbol, 1-4, 2-12
Technical changes, vii

through 2-8

2-7,

1-6
controlling listing

Traceback,

2-6

I'runcating
2-6

floating point numbers,

Read-only program sections,
of,

2-8

Rounding floating point numbers,
2-5,

2-6

Undefined symbols, 2-6
Universal symbols, 1-5
User~-defined symbols, 1-4,

system,

1-5

Sections, program, 1-5 through 1-7
Segmenting your program, 1-5, 1-6
Services,

2-6

2-12

R
Repeat blocks,

1-4,

Symbols, 1-4, 1-5, 2-6
System services, 1-5

Q
Qualifiers,

table,

1-5

Weak symbols, 1-5
Write protecting program sections,
1-6

Index-2

VAX-11] MACRO

User's Guide
AA-DQO33B~TE

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