Inclusions and Exclusions

To:	J3

From:	Craig Dedo

Date:	February 17, 2001

Subject:	Inclusions and Exclusions

Rationale

It is traditional to state without qualification that the Fortran standard "does not specify . . . the size or complexity of a program and its data that will exceed the capacity of any specific computing system or the capability of a particular processor" [1:36-37]. This provision has usually been interpreted to prohibit or discourage the specification of minimum implementation limits.

However, there are a few places where the Fortran standard does specify minimum implementation limits. Some of these provisions are:

1.	An array can have up to at least seven (7) dimensions [17:35].

2.	A line of free source form has to allow at least 132 characters [25:14].

3.	A processor must allow at least 99 continuation lines [27:12].

If one wishes to be pedantic, this is a contradiction, although I do not know if anyone would actually make an issue of it.

Technical Specification and Syntax

Revise the language of section 1.4 to specify that any minimum implementation limits specified in the standard are not covered by the list of exclusions.

Edits

Edits are with respect to the 01-007.

[1:27]	Change the clause to read, "Except as otherwise provided, this standard does not specify".

References

01-007, Fortran 2000 Draft

[End of J3 / 01-141]