The calculation of the Coulomb functions of real order and argument by Steed's technique is reviewed, with the object of clarifying the basis of the method in comparison with more traditional ones. The range of arguments over which the calculations are successful is investigated and reasons for the limitations in the asymptotic regions x → ∞ and x −1 → ∞ are examined. Summaries of both the accuracy and efficiency of the method, as a function of the arguments, are presented. Expressions for an approximate error estimate for a specific value of the order λ are developed.