FIX: /4Ys or $STRICT on Character Functions Causes F2368 (105937)

SYMPTOMS

Compiling valid ANSI 77 FORTRAN code that contains character functions with the /4Ys compiler option or $STRICT metacommand incorrectly generates an F2368 error message.

RESOLUTION

A possible workaround is to use Microsoft FORTRAN compiler version 5.0 or 5.1 to check for ANSI conformance. Avoiding /4Ys or $STRICT for problematic cases is also a workaround.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in FORTRAN PowerStation version 1.0. This problem has been resolved with FORTRAN PowerStation maintenance release version 1.0a for MS-DOS.

MORE INFORMATION

FORTRAN PowerStation version 1.0 can be differentiated from the maintenance release version 1.0a by invoking the linker. Typing link32 | more from \F32\BIN directory will show version 2.8 for FORTRAN PowerStation version 1.0, and it will show version 1.0f for the maintenance release version 1.0a.

The following sample code demonstrates the problem in version 1.00:

Sample Code

C Compile options needed: /4Ys or have $STRICT metacommand in the code

      character*1 function test
      test = 'test'
      end

C When compiled with /4Ys, the above code causes:
C    error F2368: 0000slen : truncated to 6 characters