READ keyword on INQUIRE function

[paul_romano]

I am trying to determine whether a file is readable using the INQUIRE function (compiling using Intel Fortran Compiler XE 2011.0.084) but the READ keyword always seems to just give me "UNKNOWN" whether or not the file has readable attributes enabled. I'm running on a 32-bit linux machine (Ubuntu). My code is basically:

logical :: file_exists
character(7) :: readable
inquire(FILE=path_input, EXIST=file_exists, READ=readable)

I've confirmed that this works with other compilers. Can anyone shed light on why I might be getting UNKNOWN?

Thanks,
Paul

[Ron_Green]

Paul,

This is interesting - even old compilers give the same behavior, and on other Linux distros too. Seems like a bug. I'll write it up.

[Steven_L_Intel1 · Accepted solution]

The approach we take is that we look at the file attributes only if it is open. Given all the mechanisms that operating systems use to determine accessibility, this is the only safe way.

[paul_romano]

Thanks for the help and clarification, Ronald and Steve!