WIDTH Over 255 Not Trapped as Error in Version 4.00 Editor (27139)

SYMPTOMS

If a width greater than 255 is used in the WIDTH statement, no error is generated within the QuickBasic editor. No error is given by either the editor or BC.EXE if the width is specified using a variable.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in QuickBasic Versions 4.00, 4.00b, and 4.50, and in Microsoft Basic Compiler Versions 6.00 and 6.00b for MS-DOS and MS OS/2 (buglist6.00, buglist6.00b). This problem was corrected in Microsoft Basic Professional Development System (PDS) Version 7.00 for MS-DOS and MS OS/2 (fixlist7.00).

MORE INFORMATION

The maximum allowable width that can be specified using the WIDTH statement is 255. If a number greater than that is given, the error "Math overflow" should be generated. However, this message is not given when running in the editor or when the WIDTH argument is assigned to a variable.

Results of testing with previous versions indicate that an error message is correctly given in the Version 3.00 editor.

The following is a code example:

open "cons:" for output as #1
a = 400
width #1, a   ' If 400 is used instead of "a", the error is correctly
              ' flagged when compiled with BC.EXE.