Section 10,3: Format_Descriptors

 A format descriptor can be one of the following:

    Field descriptor -- Defines the size and format of a data
    item.  Each field descriptor corresponds to the next data
    item in the statement's I/O list.

    Edit descriptor  --  Specifies editing functions to be
    performed on data items.  

 Format descriptors are generally separated by commas, but you can
 also use the slash (/) record terminator to separate them.  A slash
 terminates input or output of the current record and initiates a
 new record; for example:

         WRITE (6,40) K,L,M,N,O,P
    40   FORMAT (3I6.6/I6,2F8.4)

 The preceding statements are equivalent to the following:

         WRITE (6,40) K,L,M
    40   FORMAT (3I6.6)
         WRITE (6,50) N,O,P
    50   FORMAT (I6,2F8.4)

 Multiple slashes cause the system to bypass input records or output
 blank records.  If "n" consecutive slashes appear between two field
 or edit descriptors, (n-1) records are skipped on input, or (n-1)
 blank records are output.  The first slash terminates the current
 record.  The second slash terminates the first skipped or blank
 record, and so on.

 However, "n" slashes at the beginning or end of a format
 specification result in "n" skipped or blank records.  This is
 because the opening and closing parentheses of the format
 specification are themselves a record initiator and terminator,
 respectively.