Knowra Fortran Fortran Fortran is a high-level programming language created at IBM in the 1950s for numerical and scientific computing. Its evolving standards preserve a strong focus on arrays, mathematical notation, and high-performance computation.
Fortran array programming : A programming style that applies operations to whole arrays rather than handling each element individually. Array expressions let Fortran express many numerical operations compactly and expose them to compiler optimization.
John Backus : An American computer scientist who led the IBM team that developed the first Fortran compiler. Backus directed the project that turned Fortran from a proposal into a working language.
Array (data structure) : An indexed collection of elements, typically stored in a regular arrangement and accessed by position. Fortran’s array features build on this basic way to represent grids, vectors, and matrices.
High-performance computing : The use of powerful computers and parallel methods to solve computationally intensive problems. Fortran is widely used in HPC codes that perform large-scale scientific simulations.
C (programming language) : A general-purpose programming language developed at Bell Labs in the early 1970s, widely used for systems and application software. C is a common alternative for high-performance code and a frequent interoperability partner for Fortran.
Fortran modules : Fortran program units that package declarations, procedures, and data for reuse and controlled access. Modules provide the language’s standard mechanism for organizing reusable scientific code.
IBM 704 : An IBM scientific computer introduced in 1954, designed for high-speed calculations using floating-point hardware. Fortran was first implemented for the IBM 704, whose architecture shaped early language features.
Numerical analysis : The study of algorithms for obtaining approximate solutions to mathematical problems using finite computation. Fortran’s original purpose was to express the calculations used in numerical analysis.
Numerical weather prediction : The use of mathematical models and computer simulation to forecast atmospheric conditions. Many operational and research weather models contain substantial Fortran code.
C++ : A general-purpose programming language that extends C with features including classes, templates, and generic programming. C++ offers a different route to high-performance scientific software, with a larger abstraction toolkit.
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