Access elements of returned array in Fortran -

how 1 access element of array returned function? example, shape() returns array of integers. how 1 compare element of array integer? following not compile:

integer :: integer, dimension(5) :: b  = 5 if (a .eq. shape(b))     print *, 'equal' end if 

the error is:

if (a .eq. shape(c))     1 error: if clause @ (1) requires scalar logical expression 

i understand because shape(c) returns array. however, accessing element of array not appear possible so: shape(c)(1)

now if add these 2 lines:

integer, dimension(1) :: c c = shape(b) 

...and change if clause this:

if (a .eq. c(1)) 

... works. have declare array variable hold return value of shape(), or there other way it?

further answers deal shape , logical expressions etc, general answer question "how 1 access element of array returned function?" is

• you assign expression has function reference array variable, , index array variable.

• you use expression has function reference actual argument procedure takes dummy array argument, , indexing you.

consequently, general answer last questions "but have declare array variable hold return value of shape(), or there other way it?" "yes, need declare array variable" , hence "no, there no other way".

(note reasonable optimising compilers avoid need additional memory operations/allocations etc once have result of array function, it's syntax issue.)

the rationale particular aspect of language design ascribed need avoid syntax ambiguity , confusion array function results of character type (they potentially indexed and/or substringed - how tell intended?). others think done way annoy c programmers.