@node Fortran Columns
@subsection Checking Columns in Fortran
+@vindex fortran-line-length
+In standard Fortran 77, anything beyond column 72 is ignored.
+Most compilers provide an option to change this (for example,
+@samp{-ffixed-line-length-N} in gfortran). Customize the variable
+@code{fortran-line-length} to change the line length in Fortran mode.
+
@table @kbd
@item C-c C-r
Display a ``column ruler'' momentarily above the current line
(@code{fortran-column-ruler}).
@item C-c C-w
-Split the current window horizontally temporarily so that it is 72
-columns wide (@code{fortran-window-create-momentarily}). This may
-help you avoid making lines longer than the 72-character limit that
-some Fortran compilers impose.
+Split the current window horizontally temporarily so that it is
+@code{fortran-line-length} columns wide
+(@code{fortran-window-create-momentarily}). This may help you avoid
+making lines longer than the character limit imposed by your Fortran
+compiler.
@item C-u C-c C-w
-Split the current window horizontally so that it is 72 columns wide
-(@code{fortran-window-create}). You can then continue editing.
+Split the current window horizontally so that it is
+@code{fortran-line-length} columns wide (@code{fortran-window-create}).
+You can then continue editing.
@item M-x fortran-strip-sequence-nos
-Delete all text in column 72 and beyond.
+Delete all text in column @code{fortran-line-length} and beyond.
@end table
@kindex C-c C-r @r{(Fortran mode)}
@kindex C-c C-w @r{(Fortran mode)}
@findex fortran-window-create-momentarily
@kbd{C-c C-w} (@code{fortran-window-create-momentarily}) temporarily
-splits the current window horizontally, making a window 72 columns
-wide, so you can see any lines that are too long. Type a space to
-restore the normal width.
+splits the current window horizontally, making a window
+@code{fortran-line-length} columns wide, so you can see any lines that
+are too long. Type a space to restore the normal width.
@kindex C-u C-c C-w @r{(Fortran mode)}
@findex fortran-window-create
@findex fortran-strip-sequence-nos
The command @kbd{M-x fortran-strip-sequence-nos} deletes all text in
-column 72 and beyond, on all lines in the current buffer. This is the
-easiest way to get rid of old sequence numbers.
+column @code{fortran-line-length} and beyond, on all lines in the
+current buffer. This is the easiest way to get rid of old sequence
+numbers.
@node Fortran Abbrev
@subsection Fortran Keyword Abbrevs