All PV-WAVE functions that transfer or format data accept FORTRAN-style format strings. However, for a group of I/O commands that start with the letters “DC”, you have the choice of using either FORTRAN- or C-style format strings.

Use format strings to import or export data when you already know the type of data and its format. If you do not provide a format string, PV-WAVE uses its default rules for formatting the output. These rules are described in "Free Format Output".