Spring 1999, Vol. 20, No. 1

How to read IEEE files on DEC computers

Four methods for "little-endian" machines . . .

Tom Parker Contents SCDzine Search Article index Subscribe Contact us SCD

by Tom Parker IEEE binary is "big-endian" on most UNIX machines. However on DEC computers, it defaults to "little-endian". If you are a DEC user, here is how you can use big-endian IEEE files in a Fortran program on your little-endian machine. Basically, there are four methods. The first two work on individual files. The latter two work on all files. Use an environment variable: setenv FORT_CONVERT10 BIG_ENDIAN # For unit 10 Use the OPEN statement: OPEN (UNIT=10,CONVERT='BIG_ENDIAN',FORM='UNFORMATTED',...) Use the OPTIONS statement (put it in your source code, just like an INCLUDE statement): OPTIONS /CONVERT=BIG_ENDIAN Use the command-line option: f90 -convert big_endian ... For more information For more information on reading IEEE files on DEC computers, see the following websites: Details on the four methods (section of the DIGITAL Fortran 90 User Manual for DIGITAL UNIX Systems) More information on the various conversion types (section in the DIGITAL Fortran Language Reference Manual) More information about "endian" (the Advanced and eMerging Technologies page at Compaq)

Contents || SCDzine || Search || Article index || Subscribe || Contact us || SCD