ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG5/N1460
To WG5
From Dan Nagle
Subject  Next Standard

Following the long-range plan for Fortran, the next Fortran standard
after Fortran 2000 should be a 'small' revision.  Now is the time to
begin consideration of what this revision should contain.  It is
desirable to start this process now in order to maintain Fortran's
lead in ease of use, clarity of expression, portability and efficiency.
A new standard will also give users confidence that there is a
long-term future for software investments made using Fortran.  A small
standard has the advantage that it may be made relatively quickly.

In order to keep to a quick schedule, the proposed features should
all be small and independent of each other.  New features should be
in the areas of:

o  A few features J3 was unable to complete in time for Fortran 2000.

o  A few features which standardize practices widespread amongst
   Fortran compilers.

o  A few features which enable Fortran programs to be more portable.

o  A few features which make Fortran compilers better able to make
   efficient code.

o  A few features which lower the programming burden on the programmer.