Re: backspace error (reading file from the end)

Rules and Behavior

Use the BACKSPACE statement with files connected for sequential access.
BACKSPACE cannot be used to skip over records that have been written
using list-directed or namelist formatting.

The I/O unit number must specify an open file on disk or magnetic tape.

Backspacing from the current record n is performed by rewinding to the
start of the file and then performing n-1 successive READs to reach the
previous record.

A BACKSPACE statement must not be specified for a file that is open for
direct or append access, because n is not available to the Fortran I/O
system.

If a file is already positioned at the beginning of a file, a BACKSPACE
statement has no effect.

If the file is positioned between the last record and the end-of-file
record, BACKSPACE positions the file at the start of the last record.

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Relevant Pages

  • Re: backspace error (reading file from the end)
    ... formatted multicolumn text file from the end? ... Use the BACKSPACE statement with files connected for sequential access. ... The I/O unit number must specify an open file on disk or magnetic tape. ...
    (comp.lang.fortran)
  • Re: backspace error (reading file from the end)
    ... Use the BACKSPACE statement with files connected for sequential access. ... using list-directed or namelist formatting. ... I have never had a problem with CVF backspacing records from eof position ...
    (comp.lang.fortran)