FIX: Strange Name in MAP File For 27th Segment of COMMON BLOCK

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft FORTRAN for MS-DOS and OS/2, version 5.0

SYMPTOMS

When you compile an application, specify the /Fm option switch to generate a MAP file, and a COMMON block in the application requires more than 26 segments, strange characters appear on the twenty- seventh and subsequent segment names in the MAP file. These characters can include smiley face, diamond, or heart characters, the letter c with a cedilla, or the letter a with an umlaut. This problem does not occur in FORTRAN version 4.1 for MS-DOS and OS/2.

RESOLUTION

Because each segment name is unique, it is not necessary to change the code. However, reducing the size of each COMMON block to require fewer than 27 segments eliminates this problem.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem with FORTRAN version 5.0 for MS-DOS and OS/2. This problem was corrected in FORTRAN version 5.1 for MS-DOS and OS/2.

MORE INFORMATION

The following code example demonstrates this problem.

Sample Code

C Compile options needed: /Fm

       PROGRAM STRANGE
       COMMON /DUMMY/ X(500000) ! requires more than 26 segments
       STOP
       END