(j3.2006) CFI_index_t

[Robert Corbett]

The definition given for CFI_index_t in Clause 8.3.2 of the draft Further C 
Interoperability TS is not clear.  The definition is

      CFI_index_t is a typedef name for a standard signed integer type
      capable of representing the result of subtracting two pointers.

I assume the definition does not mean the result of subtracting two arbitrary 
pointers.  I assume that the definition assumes something like the definition of 
pointer subtraction provided in the C standard, but extended to handle cases not 
defined by the C standard.  One important issue is whether the definition is 
based on pointers to elements of C arrays or pointers to elements of Fortran 
arrays.  For some Fortran processors and C companion processors, that difference 
will make a difference in the required size of the integer type.  Here is my 
best guess at the intended meaning of the definition:

      CFI_index_t is a typedef name for a standard signed integer type
      capable of representing the integers from -N to N, where N is the
      largest number of elements the Fortran processor supports for an
      array whose elements are not zero-sized.

I can easily imagine that I have not correctly guessed the intended meaning.  If 
that is the case, please let me know how my proposed definition differs from the 
intended meaning.

Robert Corbett