Argument Intent

Hints to the compiler can be given as to whether a dummy argument will:

• only be referenced -- INTENT(IN);
• be assigned to before use -- INTENT(OUT);
• be referenced and assigned to -- INTENT(INOUT);

    SUBROUTINE example(arg1,arg2,arg3)
     REAL, INTENT(IN) :: arg1
     INTEGER, INTENT(OUT) :: arg2
     CHARACTER, INTENT(INOUT) :: arg3
     REAL :: r
      r = arg1*ICHAR(arg3)
      arg2 = ANINT(r)
      arg3 = CHAR(MOD(127,arg2))
    END SUBROUTINE example

The use of INTENT attributes is recommended as it:

• allows good compilers to check for coding errors,
• facilitates efficient compilation and optimisation.

Note: if an actual argument is ever a literal, then the corresponding dummy must be INTENT(IN). For more information, click here

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