The primary purpose of the DATA statement is to give names to constants; instead of referring to pi as 3.141592653589793 at every appearance, the variable PI can be given that value with a DATA statement and used instead of the longer form of the constant. This also simplifies modifying the program, should the value of pi change.

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A FORTRAN manual for Xerox computers

 
Added on 5-Aug-11 | Last updated 5-Aug-11
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