BUG: FOR3852 Syntax Error Caused by Semicolon in Source Line

• Microsoft Fortran PowerStation for Windows 95 and Windows NT, version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

Compiling source code that contains a line that holds only a semicolon causes the following compile-time syntax error message:

   error FOR3852: syntax error

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

Usually semicolons are used to separate FORTRAN statements on the same line. Although not useful, the FORTRAN standard considers a semicolon on a source line by itself to be a valid use of the language. Therefore, any source lines containing only a semicolon should compile without any errors.

The following code illustrates the problem:

C Compile options needed: none

      program semicolon
      ;              ! Compiler syntax error
      end

C Compile options needed: none

      program semicolon
      write(*,*) 'Hello,' ; write(*,*) ' World'
      end