ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG5-N1687

               ISO 31-11 special functions

                 Dan Nagle, 2007 July 31

The C and C++ committees are in the process of defining
an optional binding for many of the special functions defined
in ISO 31-11 Part 14.  I believe Fortran should similarly
have optional bindings defined for them.  These bindings
are being done via the vehicle of a Type 2 TR, to appear
as an optional annex of the respective standards.

Very little effort is needed for Fortran to duplicate the C effort,
as the C document WG14 N1243 and N1244 provide a complete technical
specification (in C of course) and rationale for decisions made.
It is only necessary to translate the work into the required Fortran
format.

As an optional part of the standard, or as an optional clause
of the standard, or as an optional annex, the binding may be used
by vendors anywhere the C/C++ compilers of the same vendor
support the functions.  If defined as a module, very little
additional effort is required by the vendor.

A substantial increase in the portability of Fortran programs
may be had with very little additional effort either in the
standards definition process or in the implementation.