Counted ASCII string storage directive Format .ASCIC quoted-literal
1 – Parameter
quoted-literal An ASCII string delimited with double quotes.
2 – Description
.ASCIC performs the same function as .ASCII, except that .ASCIC inserts a count byte before the string data. The count byte contains the length of the string in bytes. The length given includes any bytes of nonprintable characters specified using the backslash (\) operator, but excludes the count byte. .ASCIC is useful in copying text because the count indicates the length of the text to be copied.
3 – Notes
o You can only use this directive within data or mixed psects (psects that have either the NOEXE or MIX attributes). o This directive also accepts VAX MACRO syntax.
4 – Example
.ASCIC "MY STRING" ; In the listing, this becomes: ; .BYTE 9 ; .ASCII \MY STRING\