From: james.harris.1@nospicedham.gmail.com   
      
   On 21/12/2018 22:07, JJ wrote:   
   > On Fri, 21 Dec 2018 19:49:50 +0000, James Harris wrote:   
   >> What's the most readable way to include string literals in asm source code?   
      
   ...   
      
   >> Option 2   
   >> ========   
   >>   
   >> To avoid a large separation between def and use one could temporarily   
   >> drop to the data section as needed in the middle of other code (I'll use   
   >> nops to indicate other executable code).   
   >>   
   >>     nop   
   >>     nop   
   >>     nop   
   >> section .data   
   >> msg_started: db "Operation started", 0   
   >> section .text   
   >>     mov ebx, msg_started   
   >>   
   >> The downside of that is it is arguably harder to read (and doesn't deal   
   >> with duplicate strings well).   
   >   
   > IMO, that's quite a useful layout but, what if there are other parts of the   
   > source code which need to be laid out like that? Does the compiler allows   
   > multiple section declarations with the same section name?   
      
   Yes, the assembler will allow multiple trips into various sections.   
      
      
   >   
   >> Option 3   
   >> ========   
   >>   
   >> Or, maybe a macro could effect option 2 - something like the following.   
   >> (This is illustrative, not tested code.)   
   >>   
   >>     mov ebx, string_literal(db "Operation started", 0)   
   >>   
   >> Of course, code layout is not a major issue but it is one of   
   >> convenience; and readability is important. So I wondered what other   
   >> people do to incorporate strings in code. What have you found to be the   
   >> most readable and easiest to work with?   
   >   
   > I don't think macros can be used using that kind of syntax for this purpose.   
   > While it may be possible using the proper syntax, it's basically still the   
   > same as Option 2, just simpler. And with the same problem.   
   >   
      
   You are right, a different syntax would be needed. I'll post separately   
   about using macros because they are not working for me.   
      
   --   
   James Harris   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
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