How to run an executable from within a c program?

How can I run an executable from within a FORTRAN code?

• Is there a command I can use in FORTRAN programming that will run another executable? I am using Compaq Visual Fortran with windows, and I also compile the code on a linux box. I would like the commands for both. The other executable will be located in the same folder as the written program.

• Answer:

  Just as the other answerer said: you have to rely on what is known as a system call, the specifics details may depend on your compiler. Basically, this is your program launching another program just as if you entered the command in a shell tool. What you need to check for, however, is that usually the calling program will be suspended until the called one is completed; if you want to run concurrently, you need to use a run detach modifier, like the "&" of Unix/Linux. The other thing to watch for is that, unless you establish inter-process communication yourself, the two programs do not talk with one another; so you have the second program put its answer in some intermediate file, with a signal for the first program, if you need to transfer information across.