RFA: Revamp fortran array types

[Michael Matz]

Hi,

On Tue, 18 Aug 2009, Tobias Burnus wrote:

> >> Doesn't that effectively make pointer and targets useless?
> >>     
> No - it allows the compiler to do optimizations, except when explicitly
> told. I would, however, suggest to check with the standard as ever
> paraphrasing of it tends to oversimplify things.

Richard meant, that if Steve was right (and my example invalid), _then_ 
pointer and target would be useless as they would add no additional power 
over the preexisting means in the fortran language.  We (richi and me) 
always worked under the assumption that pointer/target were added to 
fortran precisely to add allowed aliasing to the language (as in multiple 
names for the same thing), without hampering programs not using them.

It would be really good if somebody could check with the fortran gods if 
this is or isn't the case.

> Regarding the fine prints: I think Fortran has the better 'defaults' -
> like restrict vs. pointer/target.

I agree.


Ciao,
Michael.