While trying to make one of my old programs ANSI-C compatible, especially the comments, I came across a problem. I have reduced the problem code to a few lines. The compiler barfs on the following comments in the source code:

#include <stdio.h>

/* db 6 dup (0) == 00 00 00 00 00 00 */
int main()
{
printf("Hello world.\n");
return 0;
}

C:\DEV>sc sctest.c
sctest.c(9) : Lexical error: end of file found before end of comment, line 1
Fatal error: premature end of source file
--- errorlevel 1


I get this same error message from SC 6.1, SC 7.22, and DMC 8.40

I tried several compilers from Borland, MicroSoft, Watcom, LCC etc., and all of them compile/run this code OK.

Is it something wrong with the source or is it due to the SC/DMC compiler?

I can't reproduce the error with the example given.

Is it possible you have an embedded zero or ^Z (0x1A) character inside the
comment?

"SSingh" <SSingh_member@pathlink.com> wrote in message news:csmiun$emo$1@digitaldaemon.com...
> While trying to make one of my old programs ANSI-C compatible, especially
the
> comments, I came across a problem. I have reduced the problem code to a
few
> lines. The compiler barfs on the following comments in the source code:
>
> #include <stdio.h>
>
> /* db 6 dup (0) == 00 00 00 00 00 00 */
> int main()
> {
> printf("Hello world.\n");
> return 0;
> }
>
> C:\DEV>sc sctest.c
> sctest.c(9) : Lexical error: end of file found before end of comment, line
1
> Fatal error: premature end of source file
> --- errorlevel 1
>
>
> I get this same error message from SC 6.1, SC 7.22, and DMC 8.40
>
> I tried several compilers from Borland, MicroSoft, Watcom, LCC etc., and
all of
> them compile/run this code OK.
>
> Is it something wrong with the source or is it due to the SC/DMC compiler?
>
>

In article <csn5bk$157d$4@digitaldaemon.com>, Walter says...
>
>I can't reproduce the error with the example given.
>
>Is it possible you have an embedded zero or ^Z (0x1A) character inside the
>comment?
>
[SNIP]

Yes, there was an embedded zero inside the comment, it only became apparent when the text was viewed as hex values. But I wonder why the other compilers never detected this?

Thanks for the hint and a quick reply.

If I am not mistaken then you must be Walter Bright, and I am a fan of your compilers.

Let me also take this opportunity to thank and compliment you on the fine line of compilers that you have developed. I own SC6.1 SC7.0 SC7.2 SC7.5 and I have also tried the new DMC8.40. I also have compilers from Borland, MicroSoft, and Watcom, but when compared to these your compilers could only be described as "Greased Lightning."

I have been to your Home page and greatly enjoyed the "Trip Around the World Charles Taylor Bright travels around the world at the turn of the century."

Thanks, keep up the good work, I hope the Language D also makes it big. -SSingh

"SSingh" <SSingh_member@pathlink.com> wrote in message news:csohr3$2vr5$1@digitaldaemon.com...
> In article <csn5bk$157d$4@digitaldaemon.com>, Walter says...
> >Is it possible you have an embedded zero or ^Z (0x1A) character inside
the
> >comment?
> Yes, there was an embedded zero inside the comment, it only became
apparent when
> the text was viewed as hex values. But I wonder why the other compilers
never
> detected this?

DMC uses the 0 or ^Z as an "end of file" sentinel. Some early text editors would mark end of file this way, with random garbage appearing after it.

> Thanks for the hint and a quick reply.
>
> If I am not mistaken then you must be Walter Bright, and I am a fan of
your
> compilers.
>
> Let me also take this opportunity to thank and compliment you on the fine
line
> of compilers that you have developed. I own SC6.1 SC7.0 SC7.2 SC7.5 and I
have
> also tried the new DMC8.40. I also have compilers from Borland, MicroSoft,
and
> Watcom, but when compared to these your compilers could only be described
as
> "Greased Lightning."

Thanks!

> I have been to your Home page and greatly enjoyed the "Trip Around the
World
> Charles Taylor Bright travels around the world at the turn of the
century."

Unfortunately, he died before I was born. I would really have liked to know him. I have to be satisfied with the letters and family stories about him.

> Thanks, keep up the good work, I hope the Language D also makes it big. -SSingh