PRB: Error Message: ASP 0221 Invalid @ Command Directive (246828)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Active Server Pages
This article was previously published under Q246828

SYMPTOMS

When creating and scripting new Active Server Pages (ASP) pages, you may receive the following error:
Active Server Pages error 'ASP 0221'
Invalid @ Command directive
This error occurs when you use the following syntax: 
<%@ LANGUAGE="VBScript"
Response.Write "Generic ASP Code"
' Generic ASP Code
%>

CAUSE

The @ processing directive is not terminated properly.

RESOLUTION

Terminate the @ processing directive properly as shown below: 
<%@ LANGUAGE="VBScript" %>  '@ directive line terminated

<%  'Start script here
Response.Write "Generic ASP Code"
' Generic ASP Code
%>

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

The @ processing directive sends information to Internet Information Server (IIS) on how to process an ASP page. The LANGUAGE processing directive is used most often and sets the default server-side scripting language on an ASP page. Other processing directives include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • ENABLESESSIONSTATE
  • CODEPAGE
  • LCID
  • TRANSACTION

If more than one processing directive is needed on an ASP page, use the following code for two or more processing directives: 
<%@ LANGUAGE="VBScript" ENABLESESSION="False" %>
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:7/16/2001
Keywords:kbCodeSnippet kbDSupport kberrmsg kbprb KB246828
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