# Glossary V

variable | A data object (stored in a memory location) whose value can change during program execution. A variable can be a named data object, an array element, an array section, a structure component, or a substring. In FORTRAN 77, a variable was always scalar and named. Contrast with constant.
variable format expression | A numeric expression enclosed in angle brackets (<>) that can be used in a FORMAT statement. If necessary, it is converted to integer type before use.
variable-length record type | A file format in which records may be of different lengths.
vector subscript | A rank-one array of integer values used as a section subscript to select elements from a parent array. Unlike a subscript triplet, a vector subscript specifies values (within the declared bounds for the dimension) in an arbitrary order. Contrast with subscript triplet. See also array section and section subscript.

Parent topic: Glossary