Macros for debugging in VASM

[mcgeezer]

Hi,

I'm trying to setup some macros for debugging information that I can use in VASM. Here's an example:

DEBUG_FUNC	MACRO
		IFNE	ENABLE_DEBUG
			move.l	#\1,DEBUG_SUBID	
		ENDC
		
		ENDM

ROUTINE1:
SUBID = $10000000
	DEBUG_FUNC	SUBID+$2000
        rts

Routine 2:

ROUTINE2:
SUBID = $20000000
	DEBUG_FUNC	SUBID+$5000
        rts

Obviously this won't assemble because I'm trying to redefine SUBID, but is there another way in the assembler that lets me do this.

Effectively I want to assign every subroutine a SUBID, and then within that sub routine have a checkpoints/positions to monitor how far the program counter got before something happened and caused a crash.

The ability to see the contents of DEBUG_SUBID is handle via interrupts so as long as the interrupt handler is running then I can see what went on quite quickly.

Any help appreciated.
Geezer

[roondar]

From memory: doesn't the SET directive allow you to change the value of a symbol after setting it initially?

If the above is correct that may help you do this.

[StingRay]

Roondar's hint is spot on, SET is your friend.

[mcgeezer]

I initially looked at SET but I can't get the syntax right for some reason.

The VASM manual states...under the general section:

.set <symbol>,<expression>
Create a new program symbol with the name <symbol> and assign to it the
value of <expression>. If <symbol> is already assigned, it will contain a new
value from now on.

But I keep getting an unknown instruction error in VASM.

So I've tried...

set SUBID,$20000000

.set SUBID,$20000000

set SUBID = $20000000

and various combinations of indentation too..

Does anyone have an example I can look at please?

[roondar]

It should be (again, from memory):
SUBID SET $20000000

Edit: I checked the manual (Motorola syntax section) and the above should work.

Originally Posted by vasm manual

<symbol> set <expression>

Create a new symbol with the name <symbol> and assign the value of <expression>. If <symbol> is already assigned, it will contain a new value from now on.

[mcgeezer]

Originally Posted by roondar

It should be (again, from memory):
SUBID SET $20000000

Edit: I checked the manual (Motorola syntax section) and the above should work.

that's causing SUBID to be redefined and barfing the assembler.

[phx]

Make sure not to mix EQU and SET for the same symbol. When using a symbol with SET only, then there should never be a redefinition error.

[mcgeezer]

Originally Posted by phx

Make sure not to mix EQU and SET for the same symbol. When using a symbol with SET only, then there should never be a redefinition error.

Noted...

It seems any combination of set I get an unknown instruction, I could really use a working example on this one..??? For example, this fails.

.set SUBID $10000000
	DEBUG_FUNC	SUBID+$2000
	nop
	nop
	
	DEBUG_FUNC	SUBID+$5000

[StingRay]

SUBID SET $12345

....

SUBID SET SUBID+20

....

SUBID SET $abdc

[mcgeezer]

Originally Posted by StingRay

SUBID SET $12345

....

SUBID SET SUBID+20

....

SUBID SET $abdc

Working now! Thanks a bunch buddy.

My problem was indentation.

[phx]

Originally Posted by mcgeezer

For example, this fails.

.set SUBID $10000000

.set is std-syntax (GNU, MIT-style), while you are certainly using mot-syntax (as in vasmm68kMOT). So you may want to read about syntax and directives in the appropriate "Mot Syntax Module" chapter 4.

[mcgeezer]

Originally Posted by phx

.set is std-syntax (GNU, MIT-style), while you are certainly using mot-syntax (as in vasmm68kMOT). So you may want to read about syntax and directives in the appropriate "Mot Syntax Module" chapter 4.

Yep.... I was reading the wrong section... it makes sense now.

<symbol> set <expression>
Create a new symbol with the name <symbol> and assign the value of <expression>. If <symbol> is already assigned, it will contain a new value from now
on.