DOCUMENT:Q149143  03-NOV-1999  [fortran]
TITLE   :BUG: FOR3852 and FOR1768 Caused by Space Before !MS$FREEFORM
PRODUCT :Microsoft Fortran Compiler
PROD/VER::4.0
OPER/SYS:
KEYWORDS:kbFortranPS kbLangFortrankbbuglist

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The information in this article applies to:

 - Microsoft Fortran PowerStation for Windows 95 and Windows NT, version 4.0 
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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 query words: 4.00

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Keywords          : kbFortranPS kbLangFortran kbbuglist
Technology        : kbAudDeveloper kbPTProdChange kbFortranSearch kbFORTRANPower400NT
Version           : :4.0

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