Fortran (programming language)
Fortran is a high-level language created in the 1950s for numeric and scientific computing, known for fast compiled performance, array operations, and a long history of standardized revisions.
Fortran is one of the earliest high-level programming languages, originally developed to simplify numeric and scientific programming. Its name derives from "FORmula TRANslation." The language was first produced in the 1950s and has been revised repeatedly since to add modern features. Fortran remains widely used where raw numeric performance and mature numerical libraries matter; see a general introduction at Fortran.
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Characteristics
Fortran is a compiled, procedural language that emphasizes array operations, numeric types, and straightforward mapping to efficient machine code. Built-in types commonly include INTEGER, REAL (single and double precision), COMPLEX, LOGICAL and CHARACTER. The language supports subroutines and functions, modules for encapsulation, and intrinsic routines for mathematical, linear algebra and I/O tasks. Historically it used a fixed-column source form; modern dialects use free-form layout and more flexible syntax.
History and standards
- Initial release and design to automate formula translation, producing fast compiled code suitable for scientific work.
- Several standard revisions followed, commonly referred to by era names such as FORTRAN 66, FORTRAN 77 and later Fortran 90, 95, 2003, 2008 and 2018, each adding new abstractions and capabilities.
- Later standards introduced modules, array syntax, dynamic memory, interoperability with C, object-oriented features and parallel programming constructs.
Uses and ecosystem
Fortran is heavily used in high-performance computing, numerical simulation, climate and weather modeling, computational fluid dynamics and large legacy codebases. Trusted numerical libraries (for example BLAS and LAPACK implementations) and optimized compilers make it attractive for CPU-bound scientific workloads. Modern Fortran code can interoperate with C, use OpenMP or MPI for parallelism, and employ coarrays or other language-supported features for concurrency.
Owing to its long history, Fortran has a vast body of scientific code still maintained and extended. Its combination of concise array notation, mature compiler optimizations and domain-specific libraries keeps it relevant for many numerical tasks. For more on its role in research and engineering, consult resources about scientific computing.
Questions and answers
Q: When was Fortran first created?
A: Fortran was first created in the 1950s.
Q: Is Fortran still in use today?
A: Yes, Fortran is still in use today.
Q: What is Fortran primarily used for?
A: Fortran is mainly used for scientific computing and numerical analysis.
Q: Is Fortran a procedural language?
A: Yes, Fortran is a procedural language.
Q: What are some characteristics of Fortran?
A: Some characteristics of Fortran include its ability to handle complex mathematical computations, its compatibility with legacy code, and its ease of use for scientific applications.
Q: Are there any other uses for Fortran besides scientific computing?
A: While scientific computing is its primary use, Fortran can also be used for other applications such as database management and financial modeling.
Q: How has Fortran evolved since its creation?
A: Fortran has undergone several revisions and updates since its creation, with the latest version being Fortran 2018. These updates include new features and improved performance.
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AlegsaOnline.com Fortran (programming language) Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/35805