/sys$common/syshlp/helplib.hlb MACRO, VAX MACRO Assembler, Directives, .ASCIx, .ASCID  *Conan The Librarian (sorry for the slow response - running on an old VAX)

    Performs the same function as ASCII, except  that  .ASCID  inserts
    a string descriptor before the string data.

    .ASCID string

    string

    A delimited ASCII string.

    The string descriptor has the following format:

        31                                 0
        ____________________________________
        |  information   |   length        |
        +----------------+-----------------+
        |              pointer             |
        +----------------------------------+

    length

    The length of the string (two bytes).

    information

    Descriptor information (two bytes) is always set to 010E.

    pointer

    Position independent pointer to the string (four bytes).

    String descriptors are used in calling procedures.