------- Comment #7 from pault at gcc dot gnu dot org 2007-06-18 22:49 ------- John,
5.1 .....many snips..... ....If a specification-expr involves a reference to a specification function (7.1.6.2), the expression is considered to be a nonconstant expression. If the data object being declared depends on the value of such a nonconstant expression and is not a dummy argument, such an object is called an automatic data object. I can see why you should think that this is OK. However, this section of the standard says otherwise. In fact, there is a practical consideration, which probably drives the standard: This character length cannot be computed at compilation time because the specification function is needed. Automatic objects in procedures have their variable properties calculated in the interface, which is not available for the main program. Thus, even were this legal code, I would not have the slightest idea how to implement it. My vote is that this is invalid. Paul -- http://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=32386
