<constant> and [<constant>] Are Semantically the Same (24962)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM) 1.25
  • Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM) 1.27
  • Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM) 3.0x
  • Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM) 4.0
  • Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM) 5.0
  • Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM) 5.1
  • Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM) 6.0
  • Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM) 6.0a
  • Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM) 6.0b
This article was previously published under Q24962

SUMMARY

While <constant> and [<constant>] are syntactically different (a constant and a constant within brackets), they are semantically the same. For example, the following statement: 
   MOV ax, [100]
will move the value of 100 into ax, not the value that is at address 100.

Another example is using a constant offset in a segment override: 
   MOV ax, ds:100     ; This will access the word at offset 100

   MOV ax, ds:[100]   ; This will do the same thing
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/17/2003
Keywords:KB24962
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