(j3.2006) (SC22WG5.5842) Re:Part 3: conditional compilation renewal?

[David Muxworthy]

Anton,

> There's been some discussion here and in J3
> recently about the coming vote on Part 2: varying length
> character strings. What about Part3: conditional compilation?
> When will the decision have to be made to renew or
> withdraw it? Is that date/year written in some WG5 document?

The normal process for decision on renewal or withdrawal (or revision)
is taken in an SC22 ballot with voting by national member bodies, that
is BSI in our case.  Recommendations by the BSI Fortran panel, or X3J3
in the case of the US, are usually but not necessarily followed.

However Conditional Compilation was atypical.  The result of the SC22
ballot in June 2010 (see WG5-N1832) was 'confirm'.  It is quite common
in SC22 ballots for countries that are not directly involved with
development to vote the safest option rather than the most appropriate
one.  Nevertheless WG5 felt strongly that the standard should be
withdrawn and asked the SC22 plenary meeting in September 2010 to
request JTC1 for a further ballot on withdrawal.

The outcome was withdrawal in May 2011.  See
https://www.iso.org/standard/29926.html

Cheers,
David