BUG: FOR3852 and FOR1768 Caused by Space Before !MS$FREEFORM

Last reviewed: March 28, 1996
Article ID: Q149143

The information in this article applies to:

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

SYMPTOMS

Using the !MS$FREEFORM metacommand with a space or tab preceding it will cause the following compilation errors to occur:

   error FOR3852: syntax error detected at <end of file>

   -and-

   error FOR1768: missing END statement or missing program unit (possibly
   free-form source in fixed-form file) detected at <end of file>

RESOLUTION

Place !MS$FREEFORM metacommands starting in column 1 of the source file.

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

The Microsoft Fortran PowerStation 4.0 for Windows 95 and Windows NT Programmer's Guide, page 234, says the following regarding !MS$ style metacommands:

   The !MS$ form can begin in any column but can preceded only by spaces or
   tabs.

Therefore, compiling the sample code provided should produce no compilation warning or error messages.

Sample Code to Illustrate Problem

C Compile options needed: none

 !ms$freeform
      print *, 'in main program'
      end

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

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Last reviewed: March 28, 1996
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