# Pointer Arguments

An argument is a pointer if it is declared with the POINTER attribute.

When a procedure is invoked, the dummy argument pointer receives the pointer association status of the actual argument. If the actual argument is currently associated, the dummy argument becomes associated with the same target.

The pointer association status of the dummy argument can change during the execution of the procedure, and any such changes are reflected in the actual argument.

If both the dummy and actual arguments are pointers, an explicit interface is required.

A dummy argument that is a pointer can be associated only with an actual argument that is a pointer. However, an actual argument that is a pointer can be associated with a nonpointer dummy argument. In this case, the actual argument is associated with a target and the dummy argument, through argument association, also becomes associated with that target.

If the dummy argument does not have the TARGET or POINTER attribute, any pointers associated with the actual argument do not become associated with the corresponding dummy argument when the procedure is invoked.

If the dummy argument has the TARGET attribute, and is either a scalar or assumed-shape array, and the corresponding actual argument has the TARGET attribute but is not an array section with a vector subscript, the following occurs:

- Any pointer associated with the actual argument becomes associated with the corresponding dummy argument when the procedure is invoked.

- Any pointers associated with the dummy argument remain associated with the actual argument when execution of the procedure completes.

If the dummy argument has the TARGET attribute, and is an explicit-shape or assumed-size array, and the corresponding actual argument has the TARGET attribute but is not an array section with a vector subscript, association of actual and corresponding dummy arguments when the procedure is invoked or when execution is completed is processor dependent.

If the dummy argument has the TARGET attribute and the corresponding actual argument does not have that attribute or is an array section with a vector subscript, any pointer associated with the dummy argument becomes undefined when execution of the procedure completes.

Parent topic: Argument Association in Procedures

## See Also

POINTER statement and attribute
Pointer assignments
TARGET statement and attribute
Argument association for details on general rules for procedure argument association