/sys$common/syshlp/helplib.hlb FORTRAN, Format Specifiers, Variable Format Expressions  *Conan The Librarian (sorry for the slow response - running on an old VAX)

  By enclosing an expression in angle brackets, you can use it in a
  FORMAT statement wherever you can use an integer (except as the
  specification of the number of characters in the H field).  For
  example:

    20 FORMAT (I<J+1>)

  When the format is scanned, the preceding statement performs an
  integer (I) data transfer with a field width of J+1.  The
  expression is reevaluated each time it is encountered in the normal
  format scan.

  The following rules apply to variable format expressions:

     - If the expression is not of integer data type, it is
       converted to integer data type before being used.
     - The expression can be any valid Fortran expression,
       including function calls and references to dummy arguments.
     - The value of a variable format expression must obey the
       restrictions on magnitude applying to its use in the
       format, or an error occurs.
     - Variable format expressions are not permitted in run-time
       formats.

  Variable format expressions are evaluated each time they are
  encountered in the scan of the format.  If the value of the
  variable used in the expression changes during the execution of the
  I/O statement, the new value is used the next time the format item
  containing the expression is processed.