(j3.2006) Meaning of "reference a variable"

[Bill Long]

Aleksandar Donev wrote:

>Hi,
>
>Question on terminology (following Mike's concerns). In this example:
>
>real, target :: x
>real :: p
>
>p=>x
>write(*,*) p
>
>Does the write statement "reference" the variable x? 
>

Sure. See "16.5.2 Pointer association", first paragraph. (Page 483 in 
07-007r1).

Cheers,
Bill
 

>Or does it just reference 
>p? Certainly its execution requires the value of x. But our definition of 
>"reference" talks about designators:
>
>"A data object reference is the appearance of the data object designator in a 
>context requiring its value at that point during execution."
>
>The problem is the definite article in "the data object designator", as if 
>there is only one designator that gets to the same value.
>
>Thanks,
>Aleks
>
>  
>

-- 
Bill Long                                   longb at cray.com
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