Q40547: BC.EXE Will Not Compile Files Named USER.*

Article: Q40547
Product(s): See article
Version(s): 4.00 4.00b 4.50
Operating System(s): MS-DOS
Keyword(s): ENDUSER | B_BasicCom SR# S881221-29 | mspl13_basic
Last Modified: 12-DEC-1989

The BASIC compiler (BC.EXE) will not compile any source file with a
name of USER.* (e.g. USER.BAS, USER.TXT, etc.). Instead, it will take
input from the console and report any errors on each line as they are
entered. BC.EXE will create an object file only if a name other than
USER.OBJ is specified.

The filename USER is a special filename reserved for compiling files
that are entered directly from the console instead of from a file.
Thus, if you have a file that is named USER.BAS, BC.EXE will not
compile it.

To work around this limitation, rename your BASIC file to something
other than USER.BAS.

This information applies to Microsoft QuickBASIC Versions 4.00, 4.00b,
4.50, and Microsoft BASIC Compiler Versions 6.00 and 6.00b for MS-DOS
and MS OS/2, and Microsoft BASIC PDS Version 7.00 for MS-DOS and MS
OS/2.