See Fortran 2003 standard, section 4.8. Example (F2003, "Note 4.70"): (/ CHARACTER(LEN=7) :: Takata, Tanaka, Hayashi /)
Currently, this gives the error: a = (/ character(len=7) :: 'Takata', 'Tanaka', 'Hayashi' /) 1 Error: Syntax error in array constructor at (1) --------------------- program test character(15) :: a(3) a = (/ character(len=7) :: 'Takata', 'Tanaka', 'Hayashi' /) print '(a)',a end program test --------------------- -- Summary: Fortran 2003: Support type-spec for array constructor, i.e. (/ real :: 1., 2., 3. /) Product: gcc Version: unknown Status: UNCONFIRMED Severity: enhancement Priority: P3 Component: fortran AssignedTo: unassigned at gcc dot gnu dot org ReportedBy: tobias dot burnus at physik dot fu-berlin dot de http://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=27997