LF Fortran Express User's Guide - Lahey Computer Systems, Inc.

Chapter 2 Developing with LF Fortran
How the Driver Works
The driver (LF95.EXE) controls the two main processes—compilation and linking—used to
create an executable program. Supplemental processes, like creating static libraries, DLL’s,
import libraries and processing Windows resources, are sometimes used depending on
whether you are creating a DLL or a 32-bit Windows program. These processes are performed
by the following programs under control of the driver:
Compiler. The compiler compiles source files into object files and creates files required for
using Fortran 90 modules and files needed by the linker for creating DLLs.
Library Manager. LIB.EXE is the library manager. It can be invoked from the driver or
from the command prompt to create or change static libraries.
Linker. LINK.EXE is the linker. The linker combines object files and libraries into a single
executable program or dynamic link library. The linker also adds Windows resources, like
icons and cursors, into Windows executables, and creates import libraries for use with LF
Fortran dynamic link libraries (DLLs).
Resource Compiler. RC.EXE is the resource compiler. It converts Windows resource files
(.RC files) to.RES files. .RES files can be sent to the linker, or can be converted by
CVTRES.EXE into object files.
Running LF Fortran
By default, the LF Fortran driver program will compile any specified source files and link
them along with any specified object files and libraries into an executable program.
To run the driver, type LF95 followed by a list of one or more file names and optional command-line
options:
22 LF Fortran Express User’s Guide
LF95 filenames [options]
The driver searches for the various tools (the compiler, library manager, linker, and resource
compiler) first in the directory the driver is located and then, if not found, on the DOS path.
To display the LF Fortran version number and a summary of valid command-line options,
type LF95 without any command-line options or filenames.
The command line options are discussed later in this chapter.
Filenames
Depending on the extension(s) of the filename(s) specified, the driver will invoke the necessary
tools. The extensions.F95,.F90,.FOR, and.F, for example, cause the compiler to be
invoked. The extension .OBJ causes the linker to be invoked; the extension .RC causes the
resource compiler to be invoked.