# INQUIRE: RECL Specifier

The RECL specifier asks the maximum record length for a file. It takes the following form:

RECL = rcl

rcl | Is a scalar integer variable that is assigned a value as follows: If the file or unit is connected, the value assigned is the maximum record length allowed. If the file does not exist, or it is not connected, the value assigned is zero. Fortran 2018 standardizes the value assigned to be -1 when the file does not exist, or it is not connected. To get the Fortran 2018 behavior, specify compiler option assume -noold_inquire_recl. If the file is connected for stream access, the value is undefined. Fortran 2018 standardizes this value to be -2. To get the Fortran 2018 behavior, specify compiler option assume -noold_inquire_recl.

The assigned value is expressed in 4-byte units if the file is currently (or was previously) connected for unformatted data transfer and the assume byterecl compiler option is not in effect; otherwise, the value is expressed in bytes.

Parent topic: INQUIRE Statement Specifiers