C Attribute Does Not Work Correctly

PSS ID Number:  Q11762
Article last modified on 01- 6-1989

3.30 
XENIX
buglist3.30 

Problem:
Page 105 of the "Microsoft FORTRAN User's Guide" states the following:
   "If you specify the C attribute on...a named common block in
   FORTRAN, the name is changed to lowercase and a leading underscore
   is added." 
Actually, the C attribute on a named common has no effect. The only
way to access FORTRAN common from a C program is to actually call a
FORTRAN routine that returns a pointer to the first element in common.
The following is an example: 
     subroutine test
     common/stmt [C]/j(3)
     j(1)=3
     j(2)=5
     j(3)=8
     stop
     end
If you do "nm test.0" after compilation, you will see that stmt is
neither lowercase nor preceded by an underscore. 

Response:
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Version 3.30. We are
researching this problem and will post new information as it becomes
available.
A workaround is to use the "ALIAS" attribute, giving your variable
a name preceded by an underscore and in lowercase, as in the
following example: 
    SUBROUTINE TEST
    COMMON /STMT [ alias:'_stmt' ] / j(3)
    j(1)=3
    j(2)=5
    j(3)=8
    STOP
    END