Core + Modules Approach to Fortran Standardization

摘要

In January 1978, ANSI X3J3 voted to adopt a framework consisting of a core and modules for developing the next revision of the ANSI Fortran standard. There are at least three reasons for adopting the core + modules approach: to provide a mechanism to interface with collateral standards and implementations in major applications areas; to provide a mechanism for having optional functional areas described within the standard; and to specify a smaller, more elegant language than Fortran 77 without decreasing the status of Fortran 77 as a standard language. Each of these reasons is discussed. Specific changes in Fortran are set down. The net effect of these changes is that: subroutine linkage facilities are enhanced to improve the interface with applications modules written in Fortran; archaic control structures are replaced with modern ones; the concept of storage association is removed; and fixed-form source is replaced with free-form source. (ERA citation 04:055906)