FORTRAN PowerStation 1.0 README.TXT: Executing and Debugging

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft FORTRAN PowerStation for MS-DOS, version 1.0

SUMMARY

The following information is from parts 6 and 7 of the Microsoft FORTRAN PowerStation README.TXT file located in the \F32\README directory.

   Part 6: Using the Debugger
   Part 7: Miscellaneous

MORE INFORMATION

Part 6: Using the Debugger

Optimizing Debugging Speed

Because a program being debugged runs as a separate task under Windows, the speed at which the debugger operates depends upon how many other programs are being executed at the same time. If screen-swapping is disabled, FORTRAN Visual Workbench must yield control back to Windows, and any other program waiting for cycles is serviced along with the program being debugged in the remote monitor window. To improve the speed of the debugger, don't run other applications at the same time.

Watching Complex Variables in Commons

Debugging code that has complex variables in common blocks causes the watch window to display them as characters. This affects common record variables. They are shown in the locals window as a single space rather than as a structure.

Using Mixed Source/Asm during Debugging

You can only view Mixed Source/Asm (selected from the View menu) during a debugging session if you have not built the target with the /Ox option (optimize for time). (The release version will disable Mixed Source/Asm if the /Ox option is enabled in the Compiler Options dialog box.) If you attempt to view Mixed Source/Asm for a target built with the /Ox option, the debugger will not be able to show all of the assembly instructions. Unexpected results may occur.

Viewing Strings and Arrays in the Locals Window

When you first step into a program or routine, you will not be able to see the values or variable-length strings or allocatable arrays until you step at least once inside the subprogram. This is because the lengths are not computed until after the debugger has begun executing subprogram code. Once you have stepped into the subprogram, you can view the values of single dimensional allocatable arrays.

Debugging Very Large Programs

Although it is possible to debug a program that has an executable file and symbol table that are close to (or larger than) the amount of physical memory in your PC, the debugger will take longer to load the symbols. This is because the Windows memory manager must swap portions of memory during loading.

Part 7: Miscellaneous

Running Programs

FORTRAN programs can be executed from the FORTRAN Visual Workbench either in a window or in full-screen mode. You select which to use in the Execute/Debug Options dialog box. FORTRAN programs can be run from an MS-DOS session within Windows either in a window or in full-screen mode. You can switch between these modes from within the MS-DOS session by pressing ALT+ENTER. You can also select the mode for a minimized MS-DOS session from the Settings dialog box.

Programs that use graphics may not run properly within a window. In most cases, Microsoft Windows will ask you to switch to full-screen mode if the graphics mode is not supported by the graphics driver. Some graphics modes are only partially supported in a window. In this case, the results will depend upon which graphics routines are used by the program.

For best results, we recommend that graphics programs are always executed in full-screen mode.

Redistribution Rights

You have the right to distribute the MS-DOS extender files DOSXMSF.EXE and DOSXNT.386 with programs that you create with FORTRAN PowerStation. There is no royalty required.

The font files COURB.FON, HELVB.FON, and TMSRB.FON are owned by BitStream, Inc. If you want to distribute these files with a program, you will need get permission from BitStream.

If you have any questions about redistribution rights, please contact Microsoft Product Support Services.

About Other Text Files

There are four other text files with information about Microsoft FORTRAN PowerStation.

   Filename      Contents
   ----------------------------------------------------------------

   ADDENDA.TXT   Changes to the printed manuals
   QUESTION.TXT  Answers to common questions about FORTRAN PowerStation
   ERRORS.TXT    Additions and corrections to the error messages
   VENDORS.TXT   Information about products from other vendors