PRB: Using FORTRAN Input/Output Statements with Basic (62215)

MORE INFORMATION

A number of symptoms can indicate the problem above. Here are two:

1. Basic function FRE(-1), which should return the total available memory (far heap + data segment), returns the same amount of space as the available data segment space. The amount of available data segment space can also be obtained by FRE(0), and if Basic cannot access the far heap due to the above problem, the amount returned by these two functions will be equal.
2. Basic will report "Out of memory" when trying to dimension a $DYNAMIC array larger than the remaining space in the data segment. Since Basic cannot access the far heap, the free portion of the data segment is the only available memory, and memory will be exhausted if the array is larger than the space remaining in the data segment.

Below are two FORTRAN examples that demonstrate the problem. Program 1 shows a FORTRAN call without I/O statements. Program 2 shows the same program with one WRITE statement included.

NOTE: The Basic program does not even have to call the FORTRAN subprogram; it is the allocation of the FORTRAN data space that causes the error.

To compile the FORTRAN.OBJ, use the following commands:

   FL /C /FPi /AL FORPROG1.FOR;    'for subprogram #1
   FL /C /FPi /AL FORPROG2.FOR;    'for subprogram #2
				

To compile the Basic.OBJ, use the following command:

   BC /A /O /AH BASPROG.BAS;
				

Then, link the files together as follows:

   LINK /NOE BASPROG+FORPROG1,PROG1;   'for program #1
   LINK /NOE BASPROG+FORPROG2,PROG2;   'for program #2
				

To run the programs, type either PROG1 or PROG2.

Code Samples

   '-------BASPROG---------------------------
   DECLARE SUB ForSub ()
   DIM heap%(2048)
   COMMON /nmalloc/ heap%()
   PRINT "In Basic...memory = "; FRE(-1)
   CALL ForSub
   PRINT "Back in Basic.  memory = "; FRE(-1)
   END
				

FORTRAN Program 1

         subroutine forsub
         RETURN
         END
				

FORTRAN Program 2

         subroutine forsub
         WRITE(*,*)'This is the FORTRAN program.'
         RETURN
         END
				

OUTPUT

Program 1

Program 2