Overview
ISO/IEC 9593-1:1990 defines the FORTRAN language binding for the Programmer’s Hierarchical Interactive Graphics System (PHIGS). PHIGS itself is specified in a language-independent functional description (PHIGS nucleus) and ISO/IEC 9593-1:1990 describes how that functionality is embedded for use from FORTRAN 77 (including a FORTRAN 77 Subset variant). The standard prescribes subroutine naming, parameter mapping, data types, enumeration handling and error mechanisms so that PHIGS services can be called from FORTRAN applications.
Key topics and requirements
- FORTRAN binding rules: mapping of PHIGS function names to FORTRAN subroutine names (all start with ‘P’), abbreviation rules, plural/singular reductions and uniqueness strategies for generated names.
- Parameter and calling conventions: preservation of PHIGS parameter order, handling of array lengths, how list/set inquiries return single elements plus total counts, and special handling for character strings in the FORTRAN subset.
- Data types & enumeration types: definitions for data representations and guidance on replacing PARAMETER with DATA statements where required.
- Error handling: standard error routines (PERLOG and PERHND) and the option for user-supplied error handlers compatible with the binding.
- PHIGS functional coverage: control functions, output primitives, attribute specification, transformations (modelling/view/workstation), structure content and manipulation, display and archiving, input device handling (pick, sample, request, event), metafile functions, inquiry and error control (as listed in the standard’s table of contents).
- Examples and annexes: practical FORTRAN examples and function lists (Annex A and B form part of the standard).
Applications and users
ISO/IEC 9593-1:1990 is primarily for:
- Graphics library implementers who provide PHIGS services on systems that support FORTRAN.
- FORTRAN application developers building interactive 3D graphics, CAD, scientific visualization or legacy visualization tools relying on PHIGS.
- Systems integrators and maintainers porting or preserving legacy PHIGS-based FORTRAN applications.
- Standards and certification bodies validating conformance of PHIGS FORTRAN bindings.
Practical uses include embedding PHIGS into FORTRAN programs for hierarchical scene management, attribute control, transformation pipelines, input event handling, and structured graphics archiving and metafile I/O.
Related standards
- ISO 1539 : 1980 - FORTRAN language reference used by the binding.
- ISO/IEC 9592‑4 : 1989 (PHIGS functional description) - PHIGS language‑independent specification.
- ISO/IEC TR 9973 : 1988 - registration procedures for graphical items.
- Other parts of ISO/IEC 9593 (Part 2: Extended Pascal; Part 3: ADA; Part 4: C) define bindings for additional languages.
Keywords: ISO/IEC 9593-1:1990, PHIGS, FORTRAN binding, computer graphics standard, hierarchical interactive graphics, PHIGS FORTRAN, graphics API, legacy visualization.