List-directed character output

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The output of character constants can change depending on the DELIM= specifier on the OPEN or READ statements.

Character constants output to a file opened without a DELIM= specifier, or a file opened with a DELIM= specifier with a value of NONE, output as follows:

  • Values are not delimited by apostrophes or quotation marks.
  • Value separators do not occur between values. Value separators will be emitted around the output of format-directed child I/O statements that have a list-directed parent statement.
  • Each internal apostrophe or double quotation mark outputs as one apostrophe or double quotation mark.
  • The processor inserts a blank character for carriage control at the beginning of any record that continues a character constant from the preceding record.
Note: Non-delimited character data can not always be read back correctly using list-directed input. Use with discretion.

Double quotation marks delimit character constants in a file opened with a DELIM= specifier with a value of QUOTE. A value separator follows the delimiter. Each internal quote outputs as two contiguous double quotation marks.

Apostrophes delimit character constants in a file opened with a DELIM= specifier with a value of APOSTROPHE A value separator follows the delimiter. Each internal apostrophe outputs as two contiguous apostrophes.