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

  Deletes a record from an indexed or relative file.

  Format -- indexed:

     DELETE ([UNIT=]u[,ERR=s][,IOSTAT=ios])

     Deletes the current record (last record  read)  from  an  indexed
     file.

  Format -- Relative:

     DELETE ([UNIT=]u,REC=r[,ERR=s][,IOSTAT=ios])

     DELETE (u'r[,ERR=s][,IOSTAT=ios])

     Deletes the specified record from a relative file.

     u    Is the logical unit specifier, optionally prefaced
          by UNIT=.  UNIT= is required if unit is not the first
          I/O specifier.

     r    Is a record position specifier, prefaced by REC=.

     u'r  Is a unit and a record position specifier, not
          prefaced by REC=.

     s    Is the label of a statement to which control is
          transferred if an error occurs, prefaced by ERR=.

     ios  Is an I/O status specifier, prefaced by IOSTAT=.

  The forms of the DELETE statement with relative files are direct
  access deletes.  These forms delete the record specified by the
  number "r".

  The DELETE statement logically removes the appropriate record from
  the specified file by locating the record and marking it as a
  deleted record.  A new record can be written into that position.

  Following a direct access delete, any associated variable is set to
  the next record number.