FIX: ICHAR Fails If the Argument Is a Character Function

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft FORTRAN PowerStation for MS-DOS, version 1.0

SYMPTOMS

The intrinsic function ICHAR returns a value outside the valid range of 0-255 when the argument to ICHAR is a function returning character.

RESOLUTION

Use a temporary variable to get the return value of the character function, and use that temporary variable as the argument of the ICHAR function.

STATUS

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

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.

MORE INFORMATION

In the sample code below, both itemp1 and itemp2 should be set to 97. However, with FORTRAN PowerStation for MS-DOS, version 1.0, itemp2 is set to 97, but the itemp1 is set to some value outside the legal range of ICHAR. Both itemp1 and itemp2 are 97 with FORTRAN 5.1 and earlier.

Sample Code

C Compile options needed: NONE

      character*1 chrfun, ctemp
      integer itemp1, itemp2
      ctemp = chrfun('a')
      itemp1 = ichar(chrfun('a'))
      itemp2 = ichar(ctemp)
      print*, itemp1, itemp2
      end

      character*1 function chrfun(chr)
      character*1 chr
      chrfun=chr
      return
      end