A FORTRAN 90-BASED MULTIPRECISION SYSTEM

A new version of a Fortran multiprecision computation system, based on the Fortran 90 language, is described. With this new approach, a tran slator program is not required-translation of Fortran code for multipr ecision is accomplished by merely utilizing advanced features of Fortr an 90, such as derived data types and operator extensions. This approa ch results in more-reliable translation and permits programmers of mul tiprecision applications to utilize the full power of Fortran 90. Thre e multiprecision data types are supported in this system: multiprecisi on integer, real, and complex. All the usual Fortran conventions for m ixed-mode operations are supported, and many of the Fortran intrinsics , such as SIN, EXP, and MOD, are supported with multiprecision argumen ts. An interesting application of this software, wherein new number-th eoretic identities have been discovered by means of multiprecision com putations, is included also.