BUGOUT is a series of FPT programs that have proven very useful in debugging a particular kind of error and in optimizing CPU-intensive codes. The particular type of error is the illegal addressing of data or code as a result of subtle FORTRAN errors that are not caught by the compiler or at run time. A TRACE option also allows the programmer to verify the execution path of a program. The TIME option assists the programmer in identifying the CPU-intensive routines in a program to aid in optimization studies.

Program coding, maintenance, and print aids available in FPT include: routines for building standard format subprogram stubs; cleaning up common blocks and NAMELISTs; removing all characters after column 72; displaying two files side by side on a VT-100 terminal; creating a neat listing of a FORTRAN source code including a Table of Contents, an Index, and Page Headings; converting files between VMS internal format and standard carriage control format; changing text strings in a file without using EDT; and replacing tab characters with spaces.

The library of useful, documented programs includes the following:

• time and date routines
• a string categorization routine
• routines for converting between decimal, hex, and octal
• routines to delay process execution for a specified time
• a Gaussian elimination routine for solving a set of simultaneous linear equations
• a curve fitting routine for least squares fit to polynomial, exponential, and sinusoidal forms (with a screen-oriented editor)
• a cubic spline fit routine
• a screen-oriented array editor
• routines to support parsing
• various terminal support routines