Glossary L

label
An integer, from 1 to 5 digits long, that is used to identify a statement. For example, labels can be used to refer to a FORMAT statement or branch target statement.
language extension
A Compaq Fortran language element or interpretation that is not part of the Fortran 95 standard.
lexical token
A sequence of one or more characters that have an indivisible interpretation. A lexical token is the smallest meaningful unit (a basic language element) of a Fortran 95/90 statement; for example, constants, and statement keywords.
line
A source form record consisting of 0 or more characters. A standard Fortran 95/90 line is limited to a maximum of 132 characters.
linker
A system program that creates an executable program from one or more object files produced by a language compiler or assembler. The linker resolves external references, acquires referenced library routines, and performs other processing required to create OpenVMS executable images or Tru64 UNIX, Linux, and Windows executable files.
list-directed I/O statement
An implicit, formatted I/O statement that uses an asterisk (*) specifier rather than an explicit format specification. See also formatted I/O statement and namelist I/O statement.
listing
A printed copy of a program.
literal constant
A constant without a name. In Fortran 77, this was called simply a constant.
little endian
A method of data storage in which the least significant bit of a numeric value spanning multiple bytes is in the lowest addressed byte. This is the method used on Compaq systems. Contrast with big endian.
local entity
An entity that can be used only within the context of a subprogram (its scoping unit); for example, a statement label. A local entity has local scope. See also global entity.
local optimization
Refers to enabling local optimizations within the source program unit, recognition of common expressions, and integer multiplication and division expansion (using shifts). The order of compilation of procedures is determined from the call graph. See also optimization.
local symbol
A name defined in a program unit that is not accessible outside of that program unit.
logical constant
A constant that specifies the value .TRUE. or .FALSE..
logical expression
An integer or logical constant, variable, function value, or another constant expression, joined by a relational or logical operator. The logical expression is evaluated to a value of either true or false. For example, .NOT. 6.5 + (B .GT. D).
logical operator
A symbol that represents an operation on logical expressions. The logical operators are .AND., .OR., .NEQV., .XOR., .EQV., and .NOT..
logical unit
A channel in memory through which data transfer occurs between the program and the device or file. See also unit identifier.
longword
Four contiguous bytes (32 bits) starting on any addressable byte boundary. Bits are numbered 0 to 31. The address of the longword is the address of the byte containing bit 0. When the longword is interpreted as a signed integer, bit 31 is the sign bit. The value of signed integers is in the range -2**31 to 2**31-1. The value of unsigned integers is in the range 0 to 2**32-1.
loop
A group of statements that are executed repeatedly until an ending condition is reached.