Fortran

Fortran is a compiled, high-level, general-purpose programming language that is particularly suited to scientific and engineering applications. It is designed to be efficient and portable, and it has been used to develop a wide range of software, including operating systems, scientific applications, and business applications.

Origins and History

Fortran was developed in the mid-1950s by a team of scientists at IBM, led by John Backus. The language was originally called "Formula Translation" because it was designed to translate mathematical formulas into machine code. However, it was soon renamed to Fortran, which stands for "FORmula TRANslation."

The first version of Fortran was released in 1957, and it quickly became popular among scientists and engineers. The language has been revised several times over the years, and the latest version, Fortran 2023, was released in 2023.

Key Features

Fortran is a powerful and versatile programming language that offers a number of key features, including:

• Efficiency: Fortran is a compiled language, which means that it is converted into machine code before it is run. This makes it very efficient, and it is often used to develop software that requires high performance.
• Portability: Fortran is a portable language, which means that it can be run on a variety of different computers. This makes it a good choice for developing software that needs to be used on multiple platforms.
• Extensibility: Fortran is an extensible language, which means that it can be easily modified to meet the needs of specific applications. This makes it a good choice for developing software that requires custom features.

Applications

Fortran is used to develop a wide range of software, including:

• Scientific applications: Fortran is widely used to develop scientific applications, such as those used in physics, chemistry, and engineering.
• Engineering applications: Fortran is also used to develop engineering applications, such as those used in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, and electrical engineering.
• Business applications: Fortran is sometimes used to develop business applications, such as those used in finance and accounting.

Careers

Fortran is a valuable skill for a variety of careers, including:

• Software engineer: Software engineers who are proficient in Fortran are in high demand in a variety of industries.
• Scientist: Scientists who use Fortran to develop scientific applications are also in high demand.
• Engineer: Engineers who use Fortran to develop engineering applications are also in high demand.

Online Courses

There are many online courses available that can help you learn Fortran. These courses can provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to develop software using Fortran.

Online courses can be a great way to learn Fortran because they offer a number of advantages, including:

• Flexibility: Online courses can be taken at your own pace, so you can learn at a speed that is comfortable for you.
• Affordability: Online courses are often more affordable than traditional college courses.
• Convenience: Online courses can be taken from anywhere with an internet connection, so you can learn from the comfort of your own home.

Overall, online courses can be a great way to learn Fortran. They offer a number of advantages, including flexibility, affordability, and convenience.