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The primary purpose of the DATA statement is to give names to constants; instead of referring to pi as 3.141592653589793 at every appearance, the variable PI can be given that value with a DATA statement and used instead of the longer form of the constant. This also simplifies modifying the program, should the value of pi change. -- FORTRAN manual for Xerox Computers [ 3 Last minute additions to the R.H.F. 1988 Annual: The Purity Test Emily Postnews A Joke Index. This weekend is not a Holiday in Canada, BTW, so we'll be around if you call. -ed ]
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