https://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=69456
--- Comment #5 from Jerry DeLisle <jvdelisle at gcc dot gnu.org> --- From the Fortran 95 Standard regarding exponents. The basic form may be followed by an exponent of one of the following forms: (1) A sign followed by a digit-string (2) E followed by zero or more blanks, followed by a signed-digit-string (3) D followed by zero or more blanks, followed by a signed-digit-string An exponent containing a D is processed identically to an exponent containing an E. Form (1) allows the following in the test case of this report: r3=1+1" ! Treated as 1e+1? Yes this is valid r4=1-1" ! Treated as 1e-1? Yes this is valid That being clarified, the first two examples are invalid because the required digit-string must contain at least one digit. r1=1+" ! BUG: wrong result: Agreed an error may be helpful r2=1-" ! BUG: wrong result: Agreed an error may be helpful In fact the last two cases here do result in a "bad_real" in read_real, however, it is being interpreted as a NULL value. I have further work to do. Keep in mind that it is users responsibility to use correct input data.