                            README.TXT file
            for Microsoft(R) FORTRAN PowerStation Test Drive

               (C) Copyright Microsoft Corporation, 1994


Welcome!

The Microsoft FORTRAN PowerStation Test Drive presents a first-hand
look at the Microsoft FORTRAN PowerStation family of 32-Bit FORTRAN
development systems: Microsoft FORTRAN PowerStation for MS-DOS(R) and
Windows(TM) and Microsoft FORTRAN PowerStation 32 for Windows NT(TM). 

This Test Drive Kit has two objectives:  

- To give you a first-hand look at the integrated development 
  environment (Visual Workbench) common to both Microsoft FORTRAN 
  PowerStation products. 

- To allow you to test-drive a 32-bit FORTRAN compiler with your own 
  Fortran programs.  This evaluation compiler is included in this Test 
  Drive Kit. 

The evaluation compiler is very similar in performance to the compiler
included with Microsoft FORTRAN PowerStation and FORTRAN PowerStation 32.
You can use it to determine for yourself how you can now run large, 
complex Fortran programs using the Microsoft FORTRAN PowerStation family 
of 32-bit development systems.  You can also use it to run benchmark 
tests and compare the results with those obtained from the compiler you 
are currently using.  (Please make sure that you are using the same level 
of optimizations when doing comparisons.)


Installation
------------
This evaluation version of the compiler requires MS-DOS Version 3.3 
(or later).  To install the Microsoft FORTRAN PowerStation Test Drive,
insert the Test Drive disk into a floppy drive of your computer (the 
following assumes drive A) and enter the following commands from the 
MS-DOS command line:

     C:\> a:     
     A:\> setup

The Setup program provides instructions for changing the directory
into which the Test Drive is installed.


Introducing FORTRAN PowerStation
--------------------------------
This graphical presentation shows you the FORTRAN PowerStation 32 for
Windows NT development environment (Visual Workbench), describes some
of the features, and explains how you can use the environment to its
full potential.  The FORTRAN PowerStation for MS-DOS and Windows
development environment is very similar.  Although you can run the
FORTRAN compiler from the MS-DOS command line, you will need Microsoft
Windows 3.1 (or later) to run Introducing FORTRAN PowerStation. 

To start the FORTRAN PowerStation graphical presentation:

     1. Open the Windows Program Manager.
     2. Select the Run option from the File menu.
     3. In the Command Line, type "C:\FPS\GO FORTRAN"
     4. Choose OK.

The presentation is divided into several topics.  Select a topic from the
main menu and use the navigation controls at the bottom of the screen
to move around within the topic.  The Visual Workbench (which integrates 
editing, browsing, debugging, and project management) is not included in 
this Test Drive Kit. 


Using the 32-bit Evaluation Compiler
------------------------------------
We have included in this Test Drive Kit an evaluation version of our 
32-bit FORTRAN compiler.

To help you get started, we have included a simple "Hello, World"
program.  To run this program, type the following two commands at the
MS-DOS command prompt in the subdirectory C:\FPS:

        C:\FPS> fl32 hello.for
        C:\FPS> hello

Our compiler implements the full ANSI FORTRAN 77 standard, plus 
many DEC(R) VAX(R) and IBM(R) VS and SAA(TM) extensions.  We have also 
included some Fortran 90 features, such as allocatable arrays:

        subroutine a(i)
        integer j[allocatable](:)
        allocate(j(10))
        ...

You can list the compiler options by invoking "FL32 /?".  An important
option to try is /Ox, for full optimizations.  PLEASE NOTE: When
comparing compilers, be sure both compilers are using the same level
of optimization.  By default, this compiler uses no optimizations (for
greatest compile speed), whereas some earlier Microsoft FORTRAN
compilers used some optimizations by default. 

FORTRAN source files must have the ".FOR" extension.  To link .OBJ
files or .LIB files, include them on the FL32 command line. (.OBJ's can 
be generated from FORTRAN sources by using the "/c" command line option.)


Evaluation Period
-----------------
The evaluation period ends at midnight on August 30, 1994, at which time
the compiler will no longer work.  Product support is not available for
this evaluation kit.  If you would like to provide feedback on this 
evaluation copy, please send us electronic mail.  Our Internet address 
is: "fortran@microsoft.com".
