From e98deaa17784bb43fb37d2f1f6ebbde139b11ec7 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:00:22 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 01/25] add specs

---
 doc/specs/stdlib_io.md | 53 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 53 insertions(+)

diff --git a/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md b/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
index 8c868802a..c38f1ac91 100644
--- a/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
+++ b/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
@@ -260,3 +260,56 @@ Provides formats for all kinds as defined in the `stdlib_kinds` module.
 ```fortran
 {!example/io/example_fmt_constants.f90!}
 ```
+
+## `getfile` - Read a whole ASCII file into a string variable
+
+### Status
+
+Experimental
+
+### Description
+
+This function reads the entirety of a specified ASCII file and returns its content as a string. The function provides an optional error-handling mechanism via the `state_type` class. If the `err` argument is not provided, exceptions will trigger an `error stop`. The function also supports an optional flag to delete the file after reading.
+
+### Syntax
+
+`call [[stdlib_io(module):getfile(function)]] (fileName [, err] [, delete=.false.])`
+
+### Class
+Function
+
+### Arguments
+
+`fileName`: Shall be a character input containing the path to the ASCII file to read. It is an `intent(in)` argument.
+
+`err` (optional): Shall be a `type(state_type)` variable. It is an `intent(out)` argument used for error handling.
+
+`delete` (optional): Shall be a `logical` flag. If `.true.`, the file is deleted after reading. Default is `.false.`. It is an `intent(in)` argument.
+
+### Return values
+
+The function returns a `string_type` variable containing the full content of the specified file.
+
+Raises `STDLIB_IO_ERROR` if the file is not found, cannot be opened, read, or deleted. 
+Exceptions trigger an `error stop` unless the optional `err` argument is provided.
+
+### Example
+
+```fortran
+program example_getfile
+  use stdlib_io
+  implicit none
+
+  type(string_type) :: fileContent
+  type(state_type) :: err
+
+  ! Read a file into a string
+  fileContent = getfile("example.txt", err=err)
+
+  if (err%error()) then
+    print *, "Error reading file:", err%print()
+  else
+    print *, "File content:", fileContent
+  end if
+end program example_getfile
+```

From 6d8a390a3efe3ce11ba1cdde768ba14f60248521 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:01:56 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 02/25] add `getfile`

---
 src/stdlib_io.fypp | 113 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-
 1 file changed, 112 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/src/stdlib_io.fypp b/src/stdlib_io.fypp
index 01b50a881..f7c8cf2de 100644
--- a/src/stdlib_io.fypp
+++ b/src/stdlib_io.fypp
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ module stdlib_io
   use, intrinsic :: iso_fortran_env, only : input_unit
   use stdlib_kinds, only: sp, dp, xdp, qp, &
       int8, int16, int32, int64
-  use stdlib_error, only: error_stop
+  use stdlib_error, only: error_stop, state_type, STDLIB_IO_ERROR
   use stdlib_optval, only: optval
   use stdlib_ascii, only: is_blank
   use stdlib_string_type, only : string_type
@@ -18,6 +18,25 @@ module stdlib_io
   ! Public API
   public :: loadtxt, savetxt, open, getline
 
+  !! version: experimental 
+  !!
+  !! Reads a whole ASCII file and loads its contents into a string variable. 
+  !! ([Specification](../page/specs/stdlib_io.html#getfile-read-a-whole-ascii-file-into-a-string-variable))
+  !! 
+  !!### Summary 
+  !! Function interface for reading the content of a file into a string.
+  !!
+  !!### Description
+  !! 
+  !! This function reads the entirety of a specified ASCII file and returns it as a string. The optional 
+  !! `err` argument allows for handling errors through the library's `state_type` class. 
+  !! An optional `logical` flag can be passed to delete the file after reading.  
+  !! 
+  !!@note Handles errors using the library's `state_type` error-handling class. If not provided, 
+  !! exceptions will trigger an `error stop`. 
+  !!         
+  public :: getfile
+
   ! Private API that is exposed so that we can test it in tests
   public :: parse_mode
 
@@ -528,4 +547,96 @@ contains
     call getline(input_unit, line, iostat, iomsg)
   end subroutine getline_input_string
 
+  !> Version: experimental
+  !> 
+  !> Reads a whole ASCII file and loads its contents into a string variable.
+  !> The function handles error states and optionally deletes the file after reading.
+  type(string_type) function getfile(fileName,err,delete) result(file)
+      !> Input file name
+      character(*), intent(in) :: fileName
+      !> [optional] State return flag. On error, if not requested, the code will stop.
+      type(state_type), optional, intent(out) :: err
+      !> [optional] Delete file after reading? Default: do not delete
+      logical, optional, intent(in) :: delete
+        
+      ! Local variables
+      type(state_type) :: err0
+      character(len=:), allocatable :: fileString
+      character(len=512) :: iomsg
+      integer :: lun,iostat
+      integer(int64) :: errpos,fileSize
+      logical :: is_present,want_deleted
+
+      ! Initializations
+      file = ""
+      
+      !> Check if the file should be deleted after reading
+      if (present(delete)) then 
+         want_deleted = delete
+      else
+         want_deleted = .false.   
+      end if
+
+      !> Check file existing
+      inquire(file=fileName, exist=is_present)
+      if (.not.is_present) then
+         err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'File not present:',fileName)
+         call err0%handle(err)
+         return
+      end if
+      
+      !> Retrieve file size
+      inquire(file=fileName,size=fileSize)
+      
+      invalid_size: if (fileSize<0) then 
+
+          err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,fileName,'has invalid size=',fileSize)
+          call err0%handle(err)
+          return            
+            
+      endif invalid_size  
+            
+      ! Read file
+      open(newunit=lun,file=fileName, &
+           form='unformatted',action='read',access='stream',status='old', &
+           iostat=iostat,iomsg=iomsg)
+             
+      if (iostat/=0) then 
+         err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'Cannot open',fileName,'for read:',iomsg)
+         call err0%handle(err)
+         return
+      end if     
+        
+      allocate(character(len=fileSize) :: fileString)
+        
+      read_data: if (fileSize>0) then 
+            
+          read(lun, pos=1, iostat=iostat, iomsg=iomsg) fileString
+            
+          ! Read error
+          if (iostat/=0) then 
+                
+              inquire(unit=lun,pos=errpos)                    
+              err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,iomsg,'(',fileName,'at byte',errpos,')')
+              call err0%handle(err)
+              return
+
+          endif
+            
+      end if read_data
+                   
+      if (want_deleted) then 
+         close(lun,iostat=iostat,status='delete')
+         if (iostat/=0) err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'Cannot delete',fileName,'after reading')
+      else
+         close(lun,iostat=iostat)
+         if (iostat/=0) err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'Cannot close',fileName,'after reading')
+      endif 
+      
+      ! Process output
+      call move(from=fileString,to=file)
+      call err0%handle(err)
+
+  end function getfile
+
 end module stdlib_io

From 448947f752b8b538d1608172a9f1591917893a20 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:03:13 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 03/25] test `getfile`

---
 test/io/test_getline.f90 | 81 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++--
 1 file changed, 78 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-)

diff --git a/test/io/test_getline.f90 b/test/io/test_getline.f90
index e035a904f..df1053f0a 100644
--- a/test/io/test_getline.f90
+++ b/test/io/test_getline.f90
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 module test_getline
-    use stdlib_io, only : getline
-    use stdlib_string_type, only : string_type, len
+    use stdlib_io, only : getline, getfile
+    use stdlib_error, only: state_type
+    use stdlib_string_type, only : string_type, len, len_trim
     use testdrive, only : new_unittest, unittest_type, error_type, check
     implicit none
     private
@@ -20,7 +21,10 @@ subroutine collect_getline(testsuite)
             new_unittest("pad-no", test_pad_no), &
             new_unittest("iostat-end", test_iostat_end), &
             new_unittest("closed-unit", test_closed_unit, should_fail=.true.), &
-            new_unittest("no-unit", test_no_unit, should_fail=.true.) &
+            new_unittest("no-unit", test_no_unit, should_fail=.true.), &
+            new_unittest("getfile-no", test_getfile_missing), &
+            new_unittest("getfile-empty", test_getfile_empty), &
+            new_unittest("getfile-non-empty", test_getfile_non_empty) &
             ]
     end subroutine collect_getline
 
@@ -139,6 +143,77 @@ subroutine test_no_unit(error)
         call check(error, stat, msg)
     end subroutine test_no_unit
 
+    subroutine test_getfile_missing(error)
+        !> Test for a missing file.
+        type(error_type), allocatable, intent(out) :: error
+
+        type(string_type) :: fileContents
+        type(state_type) :: err
+
+        fileContents = getfile("nonexistent_file.txt", err)
+        
+        ! Check that an error was returned
+        call check(error, err%error(), "Error not returned on a missing file")
+        if (allocated(error)) return
+        
+    end subroutine test_getfile_missing
+
+    subroutine test_getfile_empty(error)
+        !> Test for an empty file.
+        type(error_type), allocatable, intent(out) :: error
+
+        integer :: ios
+        character(len=:), allocatable :: filename
+        type(string_type) :: fileContents
+        type(state_type) :: err
+        
+        ! Get a temporary file name
+        filename = "test_getfile_empty.txt"
+
+        ! Create an empty file        
+        open(newunit=ios, file=filename, action="write", form="formatted", access="sequential")        
+        close(ios)
+
+        ! Read and delete it
+        fileContents = getfile(filename, err, delete=.true.)
+
+        call check(error, err%ok(), "Should not return error reading an empty file")
+        if (allocated(error)) return
+        
+        call check(error, len_trim(fileContents) == 0, "String from empty file should be empty")
+        if (allocated(error)) return
+        
+    end subroutine test_getfile_empty
+
+    subroutine test_getfile_non_empty(error)
+        !> Test for a non-empty file.
+        type(error_type), allocatable, intent(out) :: error
+
+        integer :: ios
+        character(len=:), allocatable :: filename
+        type(string_type) :: fileContents
+        type(state_type) :: err
+        
+        ! Get a temporary file name
+        filename = "test_getfile_size5.txt"
+
+        ! Create a fixed-size file
+        open(newunit=ios, file=filename, action="write", form="unformatted", access="stream")        
+        write(ios) "12345"
+        close(ios)
+
+        ! Read and delete it
+        fileContents = getfile(filename, err, delete=.true.)
+
+        call check(error, err%ok(), "Should not return error reading a non-empty file")
+        if (allocated(error)) return
+        
+        call check(error, len_trim(fileContents) == 5, "Wrong string size returned")
+        if (allocated(error)) return
+
+    end subroutine test_getfile_non_empty
+
+
 end module test_getline
 
 

From 5e5d210e389c9073f94ef86ca9c670e5cb61960e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:04:53 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 04/25] add interface

---
 src/stdlib_io.fypp | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/src/stdlib_io.fypp b/src/stdlib_io.fypp
index f7c8cf2de..3c9956163 100644
--- a/src/stdlib_io.fypp
+++ b/src/stdlib_io.fypp
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ module stdlib_io
   use stdlib_error, only: error_stop, state_type, STDLIB_IO_ERROR
   use stdlib_optval, only: optval
   use stdlib_ascii, only: is_blank
-  use stdlib_string_type, only : string_type
+  use stdlib_string_type, only : string_type, assignment(=), move
   implicit none
   private
   ! Public API

From 02a180fe3f2c8b3089ca9a8c6ba3405136e65ac0 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:09:24 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 05/25] create example program

---
 doc/specs/stdlib_io.md         | 17 +----------------
 example/io/CMakeLists.txt      |  1 +
 example/io/example_getfile.f90 | 20 ++++++++++++++++++++
 3 files changed, 22 insertions(+), 16 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 example/io/example_getfile.f90

diff --git a/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md b/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
index c38f1ac91..fce40fd9e 100644
--- a/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
+++ b/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
@@ -296,20 +296,5 @@ Exceptions trigger an `error stop` unless the optional `err` argument is provide
 ### Example
 
 ```fortran
-program example_getfile
-  use stdlib_io
-  implicit none
-
-  type(string_type) :: fileContent
-  type(state_type) :: err
-
-  ! Read a file into a string
-  fileContent = getfile("example.txt", err=err)
-
-  if (err%error()) then
-    print *, "Error reading file:", err%print()
-  else
-    print *, "File content:", fileContent
-  end if
-end program example_getfile
+{!example/io/example_getfile.f90!}
 ```
diff --git a/example/io/CMakeLists.txt b/example/io/CMakeLists.txt
index 2e606d2d1..1ee891c6e 100644
--- a/example/io/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/example/io/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 ADD_EXAMPLE(fmt_constants)
 #ADD_EXAMPLE(getline)
+ADD_EXAMPLE(getfile)
 ADD_EXAMPLE(loadnpy)
 ADD_EXAMPLE(loadtxt)
 ADD_EXAMPLE(open)
diff --git a/example/io/example_getfile.f90 b/example/io/example_getfile.f90
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a27a6361f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/example/io/example_getfile.f90
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+! Demonstrate usage of `getfile`
+program example_getfile
+  use stdlib_io, only: getfile
+  use stdlib_string_type, only: string_type
+  use stdlib_error, only: state_type
+  implicit none
+
+  character(*), parameter :: fileName = "example.txt"
+  type(string_type) :: fileContent
+  type(state_type) :: err
+
+  ! Read a file into a string
+  fileContent = getfile(fileName, err=err)
+
+  if (err%error()) then
+    print *, err%print()
+  else
+    print *, "Success! File "//fileName//" imported."
+  end if
+end program example_getfile

From 9eb4c0edf6bdeb50741b2e116cf3f0ad27e57894 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:40 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 06/25] Update doc/specs/stdlib_io.md

Co-authored-by: Jeremie Vandenplas <jeremie.vandenplas@gmail.com>
---
 doc/specs/stdlib_io.md | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md b/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
index fce40fd9e..5e0c33962 100644
--- a/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
+++ b/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ Function
 
 ### Arguments
 
-`fileName`: Shall be a character input containing the path to the ASCII file to read. It is an `intent(in)` argument.
+`filename`: Shall be a character input containing the path to the ASCII file to read. It is an `intent(in)` argument.
 
 `err` (optional): Shall be a `type(state_type)` variable. It is an `intent(out)` argument used for error handling.
 

From cee4ec72677934b5af4aa44bc1bb7e47a040d0f0 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:47 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 07/25] Update doc/specs/stdlib_io.md

Co-authored-by: Jeremie Vandenplas <jeremie.vandenplas@gmail.com>
---
 doc/specs/stdlib_io.md | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md b/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
index 5e0c33962..01d185b91 100644
--- a/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
+++ b/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ This function reads the entirety of a specified ASCII file and returns its conte
 
 ### Syntax
 
-`call [[stdlib_io(module):getfile(function)]] (fileName [, err] [, delete=.false.])`
+`call [[stdlib_io(module):getfile(function)]] (filename [, err] [, delete=.false.])`
 
 ### Class
 Function

From 56bedd52ff60cf6f10fd406a5173263a15eee71c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:24:22 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 08/25] function -> subroutine

---
 doc/specs/stdlib_io.md         |  8 +++++---
 example/io/example_getfile.f90 |  2 +-
 src/stdlib_io.fypp             | 10 ++++++----
 test/io/test_getline.f90       |  6 +++---
 4 files changed, 15 insertions(+), 11 deletions(-)

diff --git a/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md b/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
index fce40fd9e..c3a20cfab 100644
--- a/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
+++ b/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
@@ -269,11 +269,11 @@ Experimental
 
 ### Description
 
-This function reads the entirety of a specified ASCII file and returns its content as a string. The function provides an optional error-handling mechanism via the `state_type` class. If the `err` argument is not provided, exceptions will trigger an `error stop`. The function also supports an optional flag to delete the file after reading.
+This subroutine reads the entirety of a specified ASCII file and returns its content as a string. The function provides an optional error-handling mechanism via the `state_type` class. If the `err` argument is not provided, exceptions will trigger an `error stop`. The function also supports an optional flag to delete the file after reading.
 
 ### Syntax
 
-`call [[stdlib_io(module):getfile(function)]] (fileName [, err] [, delete=.false.])`
+`call [[stdlib_io(module):getfile(function)]] (fileName, fileContents [, err] [, delete=.false.])`
 
 ### Class
 Function
@@ -282,13 +282,15 @@ Function
 
 `fileName`: Shall be a character input containing the path to the ASCII file to read. It is an `intent(in)` argument.
 
+`fileContents`: Shall be a `type(string_type)` variable containing the full content of the specified file. It is an `intent(out)` argument.
+ 
 `err` (optional): Shall be a `type(state_type)` variable. It is an `intent(out)` argument used for error handling.
 
 `delete` (optional): Shall be a `logical` flag. If `.true.`, the file is deleted after reading. Default is `.false.`. It is an `intent(in)` argument.
 
 ### Return values
 
-The function returns a `string_type` variable containing the full content of the specified file.
+Output variable `fileContents` will contain the full content of the specified file.
 
 Raises `STDLIB_IO_ERROR` if the file is not found, cannot be opened, read, or deleted. 
 Exceptions trigger an `error stop` unless the optional `err` argument is provided.
diff --git a/example/io/example_getfile.f90 b/example/io/example_getfile.f90
index a27a6361f..8f8bf28d8 100644
--- a/example/io/example_getfile.f90
+++ b/example/io/example_getfile.f90
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ program example_getfile
   type(state_type) :: err
 
   ! Read a file into a string
-  fileContent = getfile(fileName, err=err)
+  call getfile(fileName, fileContent, err=err)
 
   if (err%error()) then
     print *, err%print()
diff --git a/src/stdlib_io.fypp b/src/stdlib_io.fypp
index 3c9956163..b2c4c53a3 100644
--- a/src/stdlib_io.fypp
+++ b/src/stdlib_io.fypp
@@ -24,11 +24,11 @@ module stdlib_io
   !! ([Specification](../page/specs/stdlib_io.html#getfile-read-a-whole-ascii-file-into-a-string-variable))
   !! 
   !!### Summary 
-  !! Function interface for reading the content of a file into a string.
+  !! Subroutine interface for reading the content of a file into a string.
   !!
   !!### Description
   !! 
-  !! This function reads the entirety of a specified ASCII file and returns it as a string. The optional 
+  !! This subroutine reads the entirety of a specified ASCII file and returns it as a string. The optional 
   !! `err` argument allows for handling errors through the library's `state_type` class. 
   !! An optional `logical` flag can be passed to delete the file after reading.  
   !! 
@@ -551,9 +551,11 @@ contains
   !> 
   !> Reads a whole ASCII file and loads its contents into a string variable.
   !> The function handles error states and optionally deletes the file after reading.
-  type(string_type) function getfile(fileName,err,delete) result(file)
+  subroutine getfile(fileName,file,err,delete) 
       !> Input file name
       character(*), intent(in) :: fileName
+      !> Output string variable
+      type(string_type), intent(out) :: file
       !> [optional] State return flag. On error, if not requested, the code will stop.
       type(state_type), optional, intent(out) :: err
       !> [optional] Delete file after reading? Default: do not delete
@@ -637,6 +639,6 @@ contains
       call move(from=fileString,to=file)
       call err0%handle(err)
 
-  end function getfile
+  end subroutine getfile
 
 end module stdlib_io
diff --git a/test/io/test_getline.f90 b/test/io/test_getline.f90
index df1053f0a..899446c83 100644
--- a/test/io/test_getline.f90
+++ b/test/io/test_getline.f90
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ subroutine test_getfile_missing(error)
         type(string_type) :: fileContents
         type(state_type) :: err
 
-        fileContents = getfile("nonexistent_file.txt", err)
+        call getfile("nonexistent_file.txt", fileContents, err)
         
         ! Check that an error was returned
         call check(error, err%error(), "Error not returned on a missing file")
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ subroutine test_getfile_empty(error)
         close(ios)
 
         ! Read and delete it
-        fileContents = getfile(filename, err, delete=.true.)
+        call getfile(filename, fileContents, err, delete=.true.)
 
         call check(error, err%ok(), "Should not return error reading an empty file")
         if (allocated(error)) return
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ subroutine test_getfile_non_empty(error)
         close(ios)
 
         ! Read and delete it
-        fileContents = getfile(filename, err, delete=.true.)
+        call getfile(filename, fileContents, err, delete=.true.)
 
         call check(error, err%ok(), "Should not return error reading a non-empty file")
         if (allocated(error)) return

From 6f87b429b834a66d9063423eb92d6dba46731314 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:25:43 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 09/25] Update stdlib_io.md

---
 doc/specs/stdlib_io.md | 6 +++---
 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-)

diff --git a/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md b/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
index fc7da461b..f853a8176 100644
--- a/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
+++ b/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ This subroutine reads the entirety of a specified ASCII file and returns its con
 
 ### Syntax
 
-`call [[stdlib_io(module):getfile(function)]] (fileName, fileContents [, err] [, delete=.false.])`
+`call [[stdlib_io(module):getfile(subroutine)]] (filename, file [, err] [, delete=.false.])`
 
 ### Class
 Function
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ Function
 
 `filename`: Shall be a character input containing the path to the ASCII file to read. It is an `intent(in)` argument.
 
-`fileContents`: Shall be a `type(string_type)` variable containing the full content of the specified file. It is an `intent(out)` argument.
+`file`: Shall be a `type(string_type)` variable containing the full content of the specified file. It is an `intent(out)` argument.
  
 `err` (optional): Shall be a `type(state_type)` variable. It is an `intent(out)` argument used for error handling.
 
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ Function
 
 ### Return values
 
-Output variable `fileContents` will contain the full content of the specified file.
+Output variable `file` will contain the full content of the specified file.
 
 Raises `STDLIB_IO_ERROR` if the file is not found, cannot be opened, read, or deleted. 
 Exceptions trigger an `error stop` unless the optional `err` argument is provided.

From 7729b601219f3d964ad4f8abf9b33a503417e62a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:30:34 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 10/25] make interface: `character` or `string_type`

---
 doc/specs/stdlib_io.md |  7 ++++---
 src/stdlib_io.fypp     | 46 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++----------
 2 files changed, 39 insertions(+), 14 deletions(-)

diff --git a/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md b/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
index f853a8176..2853ce24f 100644
--- a/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
+++ b/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ Provides formats for all kinds as defined in the `stdlib_kinds` module.
 {!example/io/example_fmt_constants.f90!}
 ```
 
-## `getfile` - Read a whole ASCII file into a string variable
+## `getfile` - Read a whole ASCII file into a `character` or a `string` variable
 
 ### Status
 
@@ -269,7 +269,8 @@ Experimental
 
 ### Description
 
-This subroutine reads the entirety of a specified ASCII file and returns its content as a string. The function provides an optional error-handling mechanism via the `state_type` class. If the `err` argument is not provided, exceptions will trigger an `error stop`. The function also supports an optional flag to delete the file after reading.
+This subroutine interface reads the entirety of a specified ASCII file and returns its content as a string or an allocatable `character` variable. 
+The function provides an optional error-handling mechanism via the `state_type` class. If the `err` argument is not provided, exceptions will trigger an `error stop`. The function also supports an optional flag to delete the file after reading.
 
 ### Syntax
 
@@ -282,7 +283,7 @@ Function
 
 `filename`: Shall be a character input containing the path to the ASCII file to read. It is an `intent(in)` argument.
 
-`file`: Shall be a `type(string_type)` variable containing the full content of the specified file. It is an `intent(out)` argument.
+`file`: Shall be a `type(string_type)` or an allocatable `character` variable containing the full content of the specified file. It is an `intent(out)` argument.
  
 `err` (optional): Shall be a `type(state_type)` variable. It is an `intent(out)` argument used for error handling.
 
diff --git a/src/stdlib_io.fypp b/src/stdlib_io.fypp
index b2c4c53a3..9e4fb01ac 100644
--- a/src/stdlib_io.fypp
+++ b/src/stdlib_io.fypp
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ module stdlib_io
   implicit none
   private
   ! Public API
-  public :: loadtxt, savetxt, open, getline
+  public :: loadtxt, savetxt, open, getline, getfile
 
   !! version: experimental 
   !!
@@ -35,7 +35,10 @@ module stdlib_io
   !!@note Handles errors using the library's `state_type` error-handling class. If not provided, 
   !! exceptions will trigger an `error stop`. 
   !!         
-  public :: getfile
+  interface getfile
+    module procedure :: getfile_char
+    module procedure :: getfile_string
+  end interface getfile
 
   ! Private API that is exposed so that we can test it in tests
   public :: parse_mode
@@ -551,7 +554,7 @@ contains
   !> 
   !> Reads a whole ASCII file and loads its contents into a string variable.
   !> The function handles error states and optionally deletes the file after reading.
-  subroutine getfile(fileName,file,err,delete) 
+  subroutine getfile_string(fileName,file,err,delete) 
       !> Input file name
       character(*), intent(in) :: fileName
       !> Output string variable
@@ -562,16 +565,35 @@ contains
       logical, optional, intent(in) :: delete
         
       ! Local variables
-      type(state_type) :: err0
       character(len=:), allocatable :: fileString
+      
+      ! Process output
+      call getfile_char(fileName,fileString,err,delete)
+      call move(from=fileString,to=file)
+
+  end subroutine getfile_string
+
+  !> Version: experimental
+  !> 
+  !> Reads a whole ASCII file and loads its contents into an allocatable `character` variable.
+  !> The function handles error states and optionally deletes the file after reading.
+  subroutine getfile_char(fileName,file,err,delete) 
+      !> Input file name
+      character(*), intent(in) :: fileName
+      !> Output string variable
+      character(len=:), allocatable, intent(out) :: file
+      !> [optional] State return flag. On error, if not requested, the code will stop.
+      type(state_type), optional, intent(out) :: err
+      !> [optional] Delete file after reading? Default: do not delete
+      logical, optional, intent(in) :: delete
+        
+      ! Local variables
+      type(state_type) :: err0
       character(len=512) :: iomsg
       integer :: lun,iostat
       integer(int64) :: errpos,fileSize
       logical :: is_present,want_deleted
 
-      ! Initializations
-      file = ""
-      
       !> Check if the file should be deleted after reading
       if (present(delete)) then 
          want_deleted = delete
@@ -582,6 +604,7 @@ contains
       !> Check file existing
       inquire(file=fileName, exist=is_present)
       if (.not.is_present) then
+         allocate(character(len=0) :: file)
          err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'File not present:',fileName)
          call err0%handle(err)
          return
@@ -592,6 +615,7 @@ contains
       
       invalid_size: if (fileSize<0) then 
 
+          allocate(character(len=0) :: file)
           err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,fileName,'has invalid size=',fileSize)
           call err0%handle(err)
           return            
@@ -604,16 +628,17 @@ contains
            iostat=iostat,iomsg=iomsg)
              
       if (iostat/=0) then 
+         allocate(character(len=0) :: file)
          err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'Cannot open',fileName,'for read:',iomsg)
          call err0%handle(err)
          return
       end if     
         
-      allocate(character(len=fileSize) :: fileString)
+      allocate(character(len=fileSize) :: file)
         
       read_data: if (fileSize>0) then 
             
-          read(lun, pos=1, iostat=iostat, iomsg=iomsg) fileString
+          read(lun, pos=1, iostat=iostat, iomsg=iomsg) file
             
           ! Read error
           if (iostat/=0) then 
@@ -636,9 +661,8 @@ contains
       endif 
       
       ! Process output
-      call move(from=fileString,to=file)
       call err0%handle(err)
 
-  end subroutine getfile
+  end subroutine getfile_char
 
 end module stdlib_io

From 9a3ecda81b18316fa5b378cd4721cd21dd91a4f3 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:32:10 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 11/25] fix link

---
 src/stdlib_io.fypp | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/src/stdlib_io.fypp b/src/stdlib_io.fypp
index 9e4fb01ac..ad0e8f643 100644
--- a/src/stdlib_io.fypp
+++ b/src/stdlib_io.fypp
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ module stdlib_io
   !! version: experimental 
   !!
   !! Reads a whole ASCII file and loads its contents into a string variable. 
-  !! ([Specification](../page/specs/stdlib_io.html#getfile-read-a-whole-ascii-file-into-a-string-variable))
+  !! ([Specification](../page/specs/stdlib_io.html#getfile-read-a-whole-ascii-file-into-a-character-or-a-string-variable))
   !! 
   !!### Summary 
   !! Subroutine interface for reading the content of a file into a string.

From a21c24b562401989b78bf4ff4707640197c87f75 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2025 08:13:01 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 12/25] Update example/io/example_getfile.f90

Co-authored-by: jalvesz <102541118+jalvesz@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 example/io/example_getfile.f90 | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/example/io/example_getfile.f90 b/example/io/example_getfile.f90
index 8f8bf28d8..7ee7608a1 100644
--- a/example/io/example_getfile.f90
+++ b/example/io/example_getfile.f90
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ program example_getfile
   use stdlib_error, only: state_type
   implicit none
 
-  character(*), parameter :: fileName = "example.txt"
+  character(*), parameter :: filename = "example.txt"
   type(string_type) :: fileContent
   type(state_type) :: err
 

From 1c6c0447fcc817f2b0468b36e96366df10ee1721 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2025 08:13:13 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 13/25] Update example/io/example_getfile.f90

Co-authored-by: jalvesz <102541118+jalvesz@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 example/io/example_getfile.f90 | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/example/io/example_getfile.f90 b/example/io/example_getfile.f90
index 7ee7608a1..558baf80c 100644
--- a/example/io/example_getfile.f90
+++ b/example/io/example_getfile.f90
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ program example_getfile
   implicit none
 
   character(*), parameter :: filename = "example.txt"
-  type(string_type) :: fileContent
+  type(string_type) :: filecontent
   type(state_type) :: err
 
   ! Read a file into a string

From 91c89bd6b2b8ee0f466edd3736e627703a78e0ee Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2025 08:13:25 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 14/25] Update example/io/example_getfile.f90

Co-authored-by: jalvesz <102541118+jalvesz@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 example/io/example_getfile.f90 | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/example/io/example_getfile.f90 b/example/io/example_getfile.f90
index 558baf80c..6b1dd2653 100644
--- a/example/io/example_getfile.f90
+++ b/example/io/example_getfile.f90
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ program example_getfile
   type(state_type) :: err
 
   ! Read a file into a string
-  call getfile(fileName, fileContent, err=err)
+  call getfile(filename, filecontent, err=err)
 
   if (err%error()) then
     print *, err%print()

From 16190ee5c2514a9b6e72f387917209cc1c6b5eab Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2025 08:13:37 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 15/25] Update example/io/example_getfile.f90

Co-authored-by: jalvesz <102541118+jalvesz@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 example/io/example_getfile.f90 | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/example/io/example_getfile.f90 b/example/io/example_getfile.f90
index 6b1dd2653..88bd5757f 100644
--- a/example/io/example_getfile.f90
+++ b/example/io/example_getfile.f90
@@ -15,6 +15,6 @@ program example_getfile
   if (err%error()) then
     print *, err%print()
   else
-    print *, "Success! File "//fileName//" imported."
+    print *, "Success! File "//filename//" imported."
   end if
 end program example_getfile

From 05fd08e90823869216a86872bee629938e85a8fb Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2025 08:13:50 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 16/25] Update test/io/test_getline.f90

Co-authored-by: jalvesz <102541118+jalvesz@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 test/io/test_getline.f90 | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/test/io/test_getline.f90 b/test/io/test_getline.f90
index 899446c83..2522aba81 100644
--- a/test/io/test_getline.f90
+++ b/test/io/test_getline.f90
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ subroutine test_getfile_missing(error)
         !> Test for a missing file.
         type(error_type), allocatable, intent(out) :: error
 
-        type(string_type) :: fileContents
+        type(string_type) :: filecontents
         type(state_type) :: err
 
         call getfile("nonexistent_file.txt", fileContents, err)

From 0c5a89566e1e909a30c6db0f4dbffd5e043d6659 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2025 08:14:23 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 17/25] Update test/io/test_getline.f90

Co-authored-by: jalvesz <102541118+jalvesz@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 test/io/test_getline.f90 | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/test/io/test_getline.f90 b/test/io/test_getline.f90
index 2522aba81..8c4ef009f 100644
--- a/test/io/test_getline.f90
+++ b/test/io/test_getline.f90
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ subroutine test_getfile_non_empty(error)
         close(ios)
 
         ! Read and delete it
-        call getfile(filename, fileContents, err, delete=.true.)
+        call getfile(filename, filecontents, err, delete=.true.)
 
         call check(error, err%ok(), "Should not return error reading a non-empty file")
         if (allocated(error)) return

From 8755ec634ad134b2c6b8dcb9c54ff7924153698e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2025 08:14:35 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 18/25] Update test/io/test_getline.f90

Co-authored-by: jalvesz <102541118+jalvesz@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 test/io/test_getline.f90 | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/test/io/test_getline.f90 b/test/io/test_getline.f90
index 8c4ef009f..9c790b552 100644
--- a/test/io/test_getline.f90
+++ b/test/io/test_getline.f90
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ subroutine test_getfile_non_empty(error)
 
         integer :: ios
         character(len=:), allocatable :: filename
-        type(string_type) :: fileContents
+        type(string_type) :: filecontents
         type(state_type) :: err
         
         ! Get a temporary file name

From 9eb8fadcdd36cce2b0070786a803015d14fc4259 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2025 08:14:47 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 19/25] Update test/io/test_getline.f90

Co-authored-by: jalvesz <102541118+jalvesz@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 test/io/test_getline.f90 | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/test/io/test_getline.f90 b/test/io/test_getline.f90
index 9c790b552..eec0db651 100644
--- a/test/io/test_getline.f90
+++ b/test/io/test_getline.f90
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ subroutine test_getfile_non_empty(error)
         call check(error, err%ok(), "Should not return error reading a non-empty file")
         if (allocated(error)) return
         
-        call check(error, len_trim(fileContents) == 5, "Wrong string size returned")
+        call check(error, len_trim(filecontents) == 5, "Wrong string size returned")
         if (allocated(error)) return
 
     end subroutine test_getfile_non_empty

From 11e94738d20f02fa176852cf7c76dd34f09df76e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2025 08:15:02 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 20/25] Update src/stdlib_io.fypp

Co-authored-by: jalvesz <102541118+jalvesz@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 src/stdlib_io.fypp | 8 ++++----
 1 file changed, 4 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/stdlib_io.fypp b/src/stdlib_io.fypp
index ad0e8f643..c8f24fc2e 100644
--- a/src/stdlib_io.fypp
+++ b/src/stdlib_io.fypp
@@ -554,9 +554,9 @@ contains
   !> 
   !> Reads a whole ASCII file and loads its contents into a string variable.
   !> The function handles error states and optionally deletes the file after reading.
-  subroutine getfile_string(fileName,file,err,delete) 
+  subroutine getfile_string(filename,file,err,delete) 
       !> Input file name
-      character(*), intent(in) :: fileName
+      character(*), intent(in) :: filename
       !> Output string variable
       type(string_type), intent(out) :: file
       !> [optional] State return flag. On error, if not requested, the code will stop.
@@ -565,10 +565,10 @@ contains
       logical, optional, intent(in) :: delete
         
       ! Local variables
-      character(len=:), allocatable :: fileString
+      character(len=:), allocatable :: filestring
       
       ! Process output
-      call getfile_char(fileName,fileString,err,delete)
+      call getfile_char(filename,filestring,err,delete)
       call move(from=fileString,to=file)
 
   end subroutine getfile_string

From 5efa730ef68fde117ee28aaa6a15c1587b3dd21f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2025 08:15:30 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 21/25] Update test/io/test_getline.f90

Co-authored-by: jalvesz <102541118+jalvesz@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 test/io/test_getline.f90 | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/test/io/test_getline.f90 b/test/io/test_getline.f90
index eec0db651..de366e889 100644
--- a/test/io/test_getline.f90
+++ b/test/io/test_getline.f90
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ subroutine test_getfile_empty(error)
 
         integer :: ios
         character(len=:), allocatable :: filename
-        type(string_type) :: fileContents
+        type(string_type) :: filecontents
         type(state_type) :: err
         
         ! Get a temporary file name

From a5eef476cde469b689331a2f42a4e58a464ab751 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2025 08:15:45 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 22/25] Update test/io/test_getline.f90

Co-authored-by: jalvesz <102541118+jalvesz@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 test/io/test_getline.f90 | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/test/io/test_getline.f90 b/test/io/test_getline.f90
index de366e889..c5a00c4ce 100644
--- a/test/io/test_getline.f90
+++ b/test/io/test_getline.f90
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ subroutine test_getfile_empty(error)
         close(ios)
 
         ! Read and delete it
-        call getfile(filename, fileContents, err, delete=.true.)
+        call getfile(filename, filecontents, err, delete=.true.)
 
         call check(error, err%ok(), "Should not return error reading an empty file")
         if (allocated(error)) return

From d269649190a285e815180a72fb20fa34ba6bbe8b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2025 08:16:01 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 23/25] Update test/io/test_getline.f90

Co-authored-by: jalvesz <102541118+jalvesz@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 test/io/test_getline.f90 | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/test/io/test_getline.f90 b/test/io/test_getline.f90
index c5a00c4ce..34914579b 100644
--- a/test/io/test_getline.f90
+++ b/test/io/test_getline.f90
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ subroutine test_getfile_empty(error)
         call check(error, err%ok(), "Should not return error reading an empty file")
         if (allocated(error)) return
         
-        call check(error, len_trim(fileContents) == 0, "String from empty file should be empty")
+        call check(error, len_trim(filecontents) == 0, "String from empty file should be empty")
         if (allocated(error)) return
         
     end subroutine test_getfile_empty

From 462d908c125eebf614ae715b129ed80417b90c28 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 2025 08:17:23 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 24/25] no camel

---
 src/stdlib_io.fypp | 30 +++++++++++++++---------------
 1 file changed, 15 insertions(+), 15 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/stdlib_io.fypp b/src/stdlib_io.fypp
index c8f24fc2e..7b06da126 100644
--- a/src/stdlib_io.fypp
+++ b/src/stdlib_io.fypp
@@ -577,9 +577,9 @@ contains
   !> 
   !> Reads a whole ASCII file and loads its contents into an allocatable `character` variable.
   !> The function handles error states and optionally deletes the file after reading.
-  subroutine getfile_char(fileName,file,err,delete) 
+  subroutine getfile_char(filename,file,err,delete) 
       !> Input file name
-      character(*), intent(in) :: fileName
+      character(*), intent(in) :: filename
       !> Output string variable
       character(len=:), allocatable, intent(out) :: file
       !> [optional] State return flag. On error, if not requested, the code will stop.
@@ -591,7 +591,7 @@ contains
       type(state_type) :: err0
       character(len=512) :: iomsg
       integer :: lun,iostat
-      integer(int64) :: errpos,fileSize
+      integer(int64) :: errpos,file_size
       logical :: is_present,want_deleted
 
       !> Check if the file should be deleted after reading
@@ -602,41 +602,41 @@ contains
       end if
 
       !> Check file existing
-      inquire(file=fileName, exist=is_present)
+      inquire(file=filename, exist=is_present)
       if (.not.is_present) then
          allocate(character(len=0) :: file)
-         err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'File not present:',fileName)
+         err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'File not present:',filename)
          call err0%handle(err)
          return
       end if
       
       !> Retrieve file size
-      inquire(file=fileName,size=fileSize)
+      inquire(file=filename,size=file_size)
       
-      invalid_size: if (fileSize<0) then 
+      invalid_size: if (file_size<0) then 
 
           allocate(character(len=0) :: file)
-          err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,fileName,'has invalid size=',fileSize)
+          err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,filename,'has invalid size=',file_size)
           call err0%handle(err)
           return            
             
       endif invalid_size  
             
       ! Read file
-      open(newunit=lun,file=fileName, &
+      open(newunit=lun,file=filename, &
            form='unformatted',action='read',access='stream',status='old', &
            iostat=iostat,iomsg=iomsg)
              
       if (iostat/=0) then 
          allocate(character(len=0) :: file)
-         err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'Cannot open',fileName,'for read:',iomsg)
+         err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'Cannot open',filename,'for read:',iomsg)
          call err0%handle(err)
          return
       end if     
         
-      allocate(character(len=fileSize) :: file)
+      allocate(character(len=file_size) :: file)
         
-      read_data: if (fileSize>0) then 
+      read_data: if (file_size>0) then 
             
           read(lun, pos=1, iostat=iostat, iomsg=iomsg) file
             
@@ -644,7 +644,7 @@ contains
           if (iostat/=0) then 
                 
               inquire(unit=lun,pos=errpos)                    
-              err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,iomsg,'(',fileName,'at byte',errpos,')')
+              err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,iomsg,'(',filename,'at byte',errpos,')')
               call err0%handle(err)
               return
 
@@ -654,10 +654,10 @@ contains
                    
       if (want_deleted) then 
          close(lun,iostat=iostat,status='delete')
-         if (iostat/=0) err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'Cannot delete',fileName,'after reading')
+         if (iostat/=0) err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'Cannot delete',filename,'after reading')
       else
          close(lun,iostat=iostat)
-         if (iostat/=0) err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'Cannot close',fileName,'after reading')
+         if (iostat/=0) err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'Cannot close',filename,'after reading')
       endif 
       
       ! Process output

From 36031fc549bd25f9f805234703ef0c439125ae52 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Federico Perini <federico.perini@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2025 16:09:36 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 25/25] underscore

---
 doc/specs/stdlib_io.md                        | 14 ++--
 example/io/CMakeLists.txt                     |  4 +-
 ...ample_getfile.f90 => example_get_file.f90} | 10 +--
 ...ample_getline.f90 => example_get_line.f90} |  6 +-
 src/stdlib_io.fypp                            | 70 +++++++++----------
 test/io/CMakeLists.txt                        |  2 +-
 .../{test_getline.f90 => test_get_line.f90}   | 58 +++++++--------
 7 files changed, 82 insertions(+), 82 deletions(-)
 rename example/io/{example_getfile.f90 => example_get_file.f90} (68%)
 rename example/io/{example_getline.f90 => example_get_line.f90} (69%)
 rename test/io/{test_getline.f90 => test_get_line.f90} (82%)

diff --git a/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md b/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
index 2853ce24f..0ae2b11b3 100644
--- a/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
+++ b/doc/specs/stdlib_io.md
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ Provides a npy file called `filename` that contains the rank-2 `array`.
 {!example/io/example_savenpy.f90!}
 ```
 
-## `getline`
+## `get_line`
 
 ### Status
 
@@ -217,9 +217,9 @@ Read a whole line from a formatted unit into a string variable
 
 ### Syntax
 
-`call ` [[stdlib_io(module):getline(interface)]] ` (unit, line[, iostat][, iomsg])`
+`call ` [[stdlib_io(module):get_line(interface)]] ` (unit, line[, iostat][, iomsg])`
 
-`call ` [[stdlib_io(module):getline(interface)]] ` (line[, iostat][, iomsg])`
+`call ` [[stdlib_io(module):get_line(interface)]] ` (line[, iostat][, iomsg])`
 
 ### Arguments
 
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ Read a whole line from a formatted unit into a string variable
 ### Example
 
 ```fortran
-{!example/io/example_getline.f90!}
+{!example/io/example_get_line.f90!}
 ```
 
 ## Formatting constants
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ Provides formats for all kinds as defined in the `stdlib_kinds` module.
 {!example/io/example_fmt_constants.f90!}
 ```
 
-## `getfile` - Read a whole ASCII file into a `character` or a `string` variable
+## `get_file` - Read a whole ASCII file into a `character` or a `string` variable
 
 ### Status
 
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ The function provides an optional error-handling mechanism via the `state_type`
 
 ### Syntax
 
-`call [[stdlib_io(module):getfile(subroutine)]] (filename, file [, err] [, delete=.false.])`
+`call [[stdlib_io(module):get_file(subroutine)]] (filename, file [, err] [, delete=.false.])`
 
 ### Class
 Function
@@ -299,5 +299,5 @@ Exceptions trigger an `error stop` unless the optional `err` argument is provide
 ### Example
 
 ```fortran
-{!example/io/example_getfile.f90!}
+{!example/io/example_get_file.f90!}
 ```
diff --git a/example/io/CMakeLists.txt b/example/io/CMakeLists.txt
index 1ee891c6e..db663f537 100644
--- a/example/io/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/example/io/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ADD_EXAMPLE(fmt_constants)
-#ADD_EXAMPLE(getline)
-ADD_EXAMPLE(getfile)
+#ADD_EXAMPLE(get_line)
+ADD_EXAMPLE(get_file)
 ADD_EXAMPLE(loadnpy)
 ADD_EXAMPLE(loadtxt)
 ADD_EXAMPLE(open)
diff --git a/example/io/example_getfile.f90 b/example/io/example_get_file.f90
similarity index 68%
rename from example/io/example_getfile.f90
rename to example/io/example_get_file.f90
index 88bd5757f..bb0a2743a 100644
--- a/example/io/example_getfile.f90
+++ b/example/io/example_get_file.f90
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-! Demonstrate usage of `getfile`
-program example_getfile
-  use stdlib_io, only: getfile
+! Demonstrate usage of `get_file`
+program example_get_file
+  use stdlib_io, only: get_file
   use stdlib_string_type, only: string_type
   use stdlib_error, only: state_type
   implicit none
@@ -10,11 +10,11 @@ program example_getfile
   type(state_type) :: err
 
   ! Read a file into a string
-  call getfile(filename, filecontent, err=err)
+  call get_file(filename, filecontent, err=err)
 
   if (err%error()) then
     print *, err%print()
   else
     print *, "Success! File "//filename//" imported."
   end if
-end program example_getfile
+end program example_get_file
diff --git a/example/io/example_getline.f90 b/example/io/example_get_line.f90
similarity index 69%
rename from example/io/example_getline.f90
rename to example/io/example_get_line.f90
index f61265099..a641f933c 100644
--- a/example/io/example_getline.f90
+++ b/example/io/example_get_line.f90
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 program example_getline
   use, intrinsic :: iso_fortran_env, only: input_unit, output_unit
-  use stdlib_io, only: getline
+  use stdlib_io, only: get_line
   implicit none
   character(len=:), allocatable :: line
   integer :: stat
 
-  call getline(input_unit, line, stat)
+  call get_line(input_unit, line, stat)
   do while (stat == 0)
     write (output_unit, '(a)') line
-    call getline(input_unit, line, stat)
+    call get_line(input_unit, line, stat)
   end do
 end program example_getline
diff --git a/src/stdlib_io.fypp b/src/stdlib_io.fypp
index 7b06da126..8e45d8c80 100644
--- a/src/stdlib_io.fypp
+++ b/src/stdlib_io.fypp
@@ -16,12 +16,12 @@ module stdlib_io
   implicit none
   private
   ! Public API
-  public :: loadtxt, savetxt, open, getline, getfile
+  public :: loadtxt, savetxt, open, get_line, get_file
 
   !! version: experimental 
   !!
   !! Reads a whole ASCII file and loads its contents into a string variable. 
-  !! ([Specification](../page/specs/stdlib_io.html#getfile-read-a-whole-ascii-file-into-a-character-or-a-string-variable))
+  !! ([Specification](../page/specs/stdlib_io.html#get-file-read-a-whole-ascii-file-into-a-character-or-a-string-variable))
   !! 
   !!### Summary 
   !! Subroutine interface for reading the content of a file into a string.
@@ -35,10 +35,10 @@ module stdlib_io
   !!@note Handles errors using the library's `state_type` error-handling class. If not provided, 
   !! exceptions will trigger an `error stop`. 
   !!         
-  interface getfile
-    module procedure :: getfile_char
-    module procedure :: getfile_string
-  end interface getfile
+  interface get_file
+    module procedure :: get_file_char
+    module procedure :: get_file_string
+  end interface get_file
 
   ! Private API that is exposed so that we can test it in tests
   public :: parse_mode
@@ -73,12 +73,12 @@ module stdlib_io
   !> Version: experimental
   !>
   !> Read a whole line from a formatted unit into a string variable
-  interface getline
-    module procedure :: getline_char
-    module procedure :: getline_string
-    module procedure :: getline_input_char
-    module procedure :: getline_input_string
-  end interface getline
+  interface get_line
+    module procedure :: get_line_char
+    module procedure :: get_line_string
+    module procedure :: get_line_input_char
+    module procedure :: get_line_input_string
+  end interface get_line
 
   interface loadtxt
     !! version: experimental
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ contains
     number_of_columns = 0
     
     ! Read first non-skipped line as a whole
-    call getline(s, line, ios)
+    call get_line(s, line, ios)
     if (ios/=0 .or. .not.allocated(line)) return
 
     lastblank = .true.
@@ -459,7 +459,7 @@ contains
   !> Version: experimental
   !>
   !> Read a whole line from a formatted unit into a deferred length character variable
-  subroutine getline_char(unit, line, iostat, iomsg)
+  subroutine get_line_char(unit, line, iostat, iomsg)
     !> Formatted IO unit
     integer, intent(in) :: unit
     !> Line to read
@@ -501,12 +501,12 @@ contains
     else if (stat /= 0) then
       call error_stop(trim(msg))
     end if
-  end subroutine getline_char
+  end subroutine get_line_char
 
   !> Version: experimental
   !>
   !> Read a whole line from a formatted unit into a string variable
-  subroutine getline_string(unit, line, iostat, iomsg)
+  subroutine get_line_string(unit, line, iostat, iomsg)
     !> Formatted IO unit
     integer, intent(in) :: unit
     !> Line to read
@@ -518,14 +518,14 @@ contains
 
     character(len=:), allocatable :: buffer
 
-    call getline(unit, buffer, iostat, iomsg)
+    call get_line(unit, buffer, iostat, iomsg)
     line = string_type(buffer)
-  end subroutine getline_string
+  end subroutine get_line_string
 
   !> Version: experimental
   !>
   !> Read a whole line from the standard input into a deferred length character variable
-  subroutine getline_input_char(line, iostat, iomsg)
+  subroutine get_line_input_char(line, iostat, iomsg)
     !> Line to read
     character(len=:), allocatable, intent(out) :: line
     !> Status of operation
@@ -533,13 +533,13 @@ contains
     !> Error message
     character(len=:), allocatable, optional :: iomsg
 
-    call getline(input_unit, line, iostat, iomsg)
-  end subroutine getline_input_char
+    call get_line(input_unit, line, iostat, iomsg)
+  end subroutine get_line_input_char
 
   !> Version: experimental
   !>
   !> Read a whole line from the standard input into a string variable
-  subroutine getline_input_string(line, iostat, iomsg)
+  subroutine get_line_input_string(line, iostat, iomsg)
     !> Line to read
     type(string_type), intent(out) :: line
     !> Status of operation
@@ -547,14 +547,14 @@ contains
     !> Error message
     character(len=:), allocatable, optional :: iomsg
 
-    call getline(input_unit, line, iostat, iomsg)
-  end subroutine getline_input_string
+    call get_line(input_unit, line, iostat, iomsg)
+  end subroutine get_line_input_string
 
   !> Version: experimental
   !> 
   !> Reads a whole ASCII file and loads its contents into a string variable.
   !> The function handles error states and optionally deletes the file after reading.
-  subroutine getfile_string(filename,file,err,delete) 
+  subroutine get_file_string(filename,file,err,delete) 
       !> Input file name
       character(*), intent(in) :: filename
       !> Output string variable
@@ -568,16 +568,16 @@ contains
       character(len=:), allocatable :: filestring
       
       ! Process output
-      call getfile_char(filename,filestring,err,delete)
+      call get_file_char(filename,filestring,err,delete)
       call move(from=fileString,to=file)
 
-  end subroutine getfile_string
+  end subroutine get_file_string
 
   !> Version: experimental
   !> 
   !> Reads a whole ASCII file and loads its contents into an allocatable `character` variable.
   !> The function handles error states and optionally deletes the file after reading.
-  subroutine getfile_char(filename,file,err,delete) 
+  subroutine get_file_char(filename,file,err,delete) 
       !> Input file name
       character(*), intent(in) :: filename
       !> Output string variable
@@ -605,7 +605,7 @@ contains
       inquire(file=filename, exist=is_present)
       if (.not.is_present) then
          allocate(character(len=0) :: file)
-         err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'File not present:',filename)
+         err0 = state_type('get_file',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'File not present:',filename)
          call err0%handle(err)
          return
       end if
@@ -616,7 +616,7 @@ contains
       invalid_size: if (file_size<0) then 
 
           allocate(character(len=0) :: file)
-          err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,filename,'has invalid size=',file_size)
+          err0 = state_type('get_file',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,filename,'has invalid size=',file_size)
           call err0%handle(err)
           return            
             
@@ -629,7 +629,7 @@ contains
              
       if (iostat/=0) then 
          allocate(character(len=0) :: file)
-         err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'Cannot open',filename,'for read:',iomsg)
+         err0 = state_type('get_file',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'Cannot open',filename,'for read:',iomsg)
          call err0%handle(err)
          return
       end if     
@@ -644,7 +644,7 @@ contains
           if (iostat/=0) then 
                 
               inquire(unit=lun,pos=errpos)                    
-              err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,iomsg,'(',filename,'at byte',errpos,')')
+              err0 = state_type('get_file',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,iomsg,'(',filename,'at byte',errpos,')')
               call err0%handle(err)
               return
 
@@ -654,15 +654,15 @@ contains
                    
       if (want_deleted) then 
          close(lun,iostat=iostat,status='delete')
-         if (iostat/=0) err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'Cannot delete',filename,'after reading')
+         if (iostat/=0) err0 = state_type('get_file',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'Cannot delete',filename,'after reading')
       else
          close(lun,iostat=iostat)
-         if (iostat/=0) err0 = state_type('getfile',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'Cannot close',filename,'after reading')
+         if (iostat/=0) err0 = state_type('get_file',STDLIB_IO_ERROR,'Cannot close',filename,'after reading')
       endif 
       
       ! Process output
       call err0%handle(err)
 
-  end subroutine getfile_char
+  end subroutine get_file_char
 
 end module stdlib_io
diff --git a/test/io/CMakeLists.txt b/test/io/CMakeLists.txt
index 98794cd88..4e19b5fbe 100644
--- a/test/io/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/test/io/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ ADDTEST(savetxt_qp)
 set_tests_properties(loadtxt_qp PROPERTIES LABELS quadruple_precision)
 set_tests_properties(savetxt_qp PROPERTIES LABELS quadruple_precision)
 
-ADDTEST(getline)
+ADDTEST(get_line)
 ADDTEST(npy)
 ADDTEST(open)
 ADDTEST(parse_mode)
diff --git a/test/io/test_getline.f90 b/test/io/test_get_line.f90
similarity index 82%
rename from test/io/test_getline.f90
rename to test/io/test_get_line.f90
index 34914579b..d83bab06d 100644
--- a/test/io/test_getline.f90
+++ b/test/io/test_get_line.f90
@@ -1,17 +1,17 @@
-module test_getline
-    use stdlib_io, only : getline, getfile
+module test_get_line
+    use stdlib_io, only : get_line, get_file
     use stdlib_error, only: state_type
     use stdlib_string_type, only : string_type, len, len_trim
     use testdrive, only : new_unittest, unittest_type, error_type, check
     implicit none
     private
 
-    public :: collect_getline
+    public :: collect_get_line
 
 contains
 
     !> Collect all exported unit tests
-    subroutine collect_getline(testsuite)
+    subroutine collect_get_line(testsuite)
         !> Collection of tests
         type(unittest_type), allocatable, intent(out) :: testsuite(:)
 
@@ -22,11 +22,11 @@ subroutine collect_getline(testsuite)
             new_unittest("iostat-end", test_iostat_end), &
             new_unittest("closed-unit", test_closed_unit, should_fail=.true.), &
             new_unittest("no-unit", test_no_unit, should_fail=.true.), &
-            new_unittest("getfile-no", test_getfile_missing), &
-            new_unittest("getfile-empty", test_getfile_empty), &
-            new_unittest("getfile-non-empty", test_getfile_non_empty) &
+            new_unittest("get_file-no", test_get_file_missing), &
+            new_unittest("get_file-empty", test_get_file_empty), &
+            new_unittest("get_file-non-empty", test_get_file_non_empty) &
             ]
-    end subroutine collect_getline
+    end subroutine collect_get_line
 
     subroutine test_read_char(error)
         !> Error handling
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ subroutine test_read_char(error)
         rewind(io)
 
         do i = 1, 3
-          call getline(io, line, stat)
+          call get_line(io, line, stat)
           call check(error, stat)
           if (allocated(error)) exit
           call check(error, len(line), 3*10**i)
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ subroutine test_read_string(error)
         rewind(io)
 
         do i = 1, 3
-          call getline(io, line, stat)
+          call get_line(io, line, stat)
           call check(error, stat)
           if (allocated(error)) exit
           call check(error, len(line), 3*10**i)
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ subroutine test_pad_no(error)
         rewind(io)
 
         do i = 1, 3
-          call getline(io, line, stat)
+          call get_line(io, line, stat)
           call check(error, stat)
           if (allocated(error)) exit
           call check(error, len(line), 3*10**i)
@@ -104,14 +104,14 @@ subroutine test_iostat_end(error)
         rewind(io)
 
         do i = 1, 3
-          call getline(io, line, stat)
+          call get_line(io, line, stat)
           call check(error, stat)
           if (allocated(error)) exit
           call check(error, len(line), 3*10**i)
           if (allocated(error)) exit
         end do
         if (.not.allocated(error)) then
-          call getline(io, line, stat)
+          call get_line(io, line, stat)
           call check(error, stat, iostat_end)
         end if
         close(io)
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ subroutine test_closed_unit(error)
         open(newunit=io, status="scratch")
         close(io)
 
-        call getline(io, line, stat, msg)
+        call get_line(io, line, stat, msg)
         call check(error, stat, msg)
     end subroutine test_closed_unit
 
@@ -139,26 +139,26 @@ subroutine test_no_unit(error)
         character(len=:), allocatable :: line, msg
 
         io = -1
-        call getline(io, line, stat, msg)
+        call get_line(io, line, stat, msg)
         call check(error, stat, msg)
     end subroutine test_no_unit
 
-    subroutine test_getfile_missing(error)
+    subroutine test_get_file_missing(error)
         !> Test for a missing file.
         type(error_type), allocatable, intent(out) :: error
 
         type(string_type) :: filecontents
         type(state_type) :: err
 
-        call getfile("nonexistent_file.txt", fileContents, err)
+        call get_file("nonexistent_file.txt", fileContents, err)
         
         ! Check that an error was returned
         call check(error, err%error(), "Error not returned on a missing file")
         if (allocated(error)) return
         
-    end subroutine test_getfile_missing
+    end subroutine test_get_file_missing
 
-    subroutine test_getfile_empty(error)
+    subroutine test_get_file_empty(error)
         !> Test for an empty file.
         type(error_type), allocatable, intent(out) :: error
 
@@ -168,14 +168,14 @@ subroutine test_getfile_empty(error)
         type(state_type) :: err
         
         ! Get a temporary file name
-        filename = "test_getfile_empty.txt"
+        filename = "test_get_file_empty.txt"
 
         ! Create an empty file        
         open(newunit=ios, file=filename, action="write", form="formatted", access="sequential")        
         close(ios)
 
         ! Read and delete it
-        call getfile(filename, filecontents, err, delete=.true.)
+        call get_file(filename, filecontents, err, delete=.true.)
 
         call check(error, err%ok(), "Should not return error reading an empty file")
         if (allocated(error)) return
@@ -183,9 +183,9 @@ subroutine test_getfile_empty(error)
         call check(error, len_trim(filecontents) == 0, "String from empty file should be empty")
         if (allocated(error)) return
         
-    end subroutine test_getfile_empty
+    end subroutine test_get_file_empty
 
-    subroutine test_getfile_non_empty(error)
+    subroutine test_get_file_non_empty(error)
         !> Test for a non-empty file.
         type(error_type), allocatable, intent(out) :: error
 
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ subroutine test_getfile_non_empty(error)
         type(state_type) :: err
         
         ! Get a temporary file name
-        filename = "test_getfile_size5.txt"
+        filename = "test_get_file_size5.txt"
 
         ! Create a fixed-size file
         open(newunit=ios, file=filename, action="write", form="unformatted", access="stream")        
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ subroutine test_getfile_non_empty(error)
         close(ios)
 
         ! Read and delete it
-        call getfile(filename, filecontents, err, delete=.true.)
+        call get_file(filename, filecontents, err, delete=.true.)
 
         call check(error, err%ok(), "Should not return error reading a non-empty file")
         if (allocated(error)) return
@@ -211,16 +211,16 @@ subroutine test_getfile_non_empty(error)
         call check(error, len_trim(filecontents) == 5, "Wrong string size returned")
         if (allocated(error)) return
 
-    end subroutine test_getfile_non_empty
+    end subroutine test_get_file_non_empty
 
 
-end module test_getline
+end module test_get_line
 
 
 program tester
     use, intrinsic :: iso_fortran_env, only : error_unit
     use testdrive, only : run_testsuite, new_testsuite, testsuite_type
-    use test_getline, only : collect_getline
+    use test_get_line, only : collect_get_line
     implicit none
     integer :: stat, is
     type(testsuite_type), allocatable :: testsuites(:)
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ program tester
     stat = 0
 
     testsuites = [ &
-        new_testsuite("getline", collect_getline) &
+        new_testsuite("get_line", collect_get_line) &
         ]
 
     do is = 1, size(testsuites)