Index: list_read.c
===================================================================
--- list_read.c	(revision 208303)
+++ list_read.c	(working copy)
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ next_char (st_parameter_dt *dtp)
 
       dtp->u.p.line_buffer_pos = 0;
       dtp->u.p.line_buffer_enabled = 0;
-    }    
+    }
 
   /* Handle the end-of-record and end-of-file conditions for
      internal array unit.  */
@@ -208,20 +208,8 @@ next_char (st_parameter_dt *dtp)
          c = cc;
        }
 
-      if (length < 0)
-	{
-	  generate_error (&dtp->common, LIBERROR_OS, NULL);
-	  return '\0';
-	}
-  
       if (is_array_io (dtp))
 	{
-	  /* Check whether we hit EOF.  */ 
-	  if (length == 0)
-	    {
-	      generate_error (&dtp->common, LIBERROR_INTERNAL_UNIT, NULL);
-	      return '\0';
-	    } 
 	  dtp->u.p.current_unit->bytes_left--;
 	}
       else
@@ -264,6 +252,28 @@ eat_spaces (st_parameter_dt *dtp)
 {
   int c;
 
+  /* If internal character array IO, peak ahead and seek past spaces.
+     This is an optimazation to eliminate numerous calls to
+     next character unique to character arrays with large character
+     lengths (PR38199). */
+  if (is_array_io (dtp))
+    {
+      gfc_offset offset = stell (dtp->u.p.current_unit->s);
+      gfc_offset limit = dtp->u.p.current_unit->bytes_left;
+
+      do
+	{
+	  c = dtp->internal_unit[offset++];
+	  dtp->u.p.current_unit->bytes_left--;
+	}
+      while (offset < limit && (c == ' ' || c == '\t'));
+      /* Back up, seek ahead, and fall through to complete the process
+	 so that END conditions are handled correctly.  */
+      dtp->u.p.current_unit->bytes_left++;
+      sseek (dtp->u.p.current_unit->s, offset-1, SEEK_SET);
+    }
+
+  /* Now skip spaces, EOF and EOL are handled in next_char.  */
   do
     c = next_char (dtp);
   while (c != EOF && (c == ' ' || c == '\t'));