To: J3 J3/07-107 From: Van Snyder Subject: Zero-size objects Date: 2007 January 22 Zero-size arrays and zero-length strings are fairly obvious concepts. Zero-size derived-type objects are less obvious. [87:4+] 8.2.3a Zero-size data objects. An array that has zero elements is a zero-size array. A character string that has zero length is a zero-length character string. A derived-type object that has no components, or in which all components are zero-size objects, is a zero-size derived-type object. Components can have zero size by being declared to have zero size, or by depending upon type parameter values in such a way that they have zero size. A zero-size storage sequence consists of zero objects, or of objects all of which have zero size. [498:9] "and zero-length strings" => ", zero-length strings, and zero- size derived-type objects". [500:5+] (19a) Allocation of a zero-length character string causes the string to become defined. (29b) Allocation of a zero-size derived-type variable causes the object to become defined.