PRB: FOR3852 Error in Consecutive Arithmetic Operations

Last reviewed: April 26, 1996
Article ID: Q150145

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft FORTRAN PowerStation for Windows 95 and Windows NT, version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

Attempting an arithmetic calculation involving a binary and unary operator consecutively fails with the following compiler syntax error:

   error FOR3852: syntax error detected between * and -

RESOLUTION

If you use consecutive binary and unary operators in your arithmetic calculations, enclose the unary operation in parentheses.

-or-

Specify the unary operation before the binary operation.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Sample Code to Illustrate Behavior

! Compile options needed: none

      j = 3
      k = 2

! The following line causes the FOR3852 error

      i = j * -k    ! comment this line for workaround #1

! i = j * (-k) ! uncomment this line for workaround #1

      print *, i
      i = -k * j    ! use alternate arithmetic form - workaround #2
      print *, i
      end

Additional reference words: 4.00
KBCategory: kbprg kbprb
KBSubcategory: FORTLngIss

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Last reviewed: April 26, 1996
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