FORTRAN
[fawr-tran] /ˈfɔr træn/
noun, Computers.
1.
a high-level programming language used mainly for solving problems in science and engineering.
/ˈfɔːtræn/
noun
1.
a high-level computer programming language for mathematical and scientific purposes, designed to facilitate and speed up the solving of complex problems
n.
computer programming language, 1956, from combination of elements from formula + translation.
language
(Formula Translation) The first and, for a long time, the most widely used programming language for numerical and scientific applications. The original versions lacked recursive procedures and block structure and had a line-oriented syntax in which certain columns had special significance.
There have been a great many versions.
The name is often written “FORTRAN”, harking back to the days before computers were taught about lower case, but ANSI decreed, in about 1985 via the ANSI FORTRAN Technical Committee TC, that it should be “Fortran”.
See also: Fortrash.
[Was Fortran I the first version?]
(2000-07-07)
formula translator (programming language)
Read Also:
- Fortran 66
Fortran IV standardised. ASA X3.9-1966.
- Fortran 90
(Previously “Fortran 8x” and “Fortran Extended”) An extensive enlargement of Fortran 77. Fortran 90 has derived types, assumed shape arrays, array sections, functions returning arrays, case statement, module subprograms and internal subprograms, optional and keyword subprogram arguments, recursion, and dynamic allocation. It is defined in ISO 1539:1991, soon to be adopted by ANSI. [“Fortran 90 […]
- Fortran automatic symbol translator
language (FAST) An assembly language for the IBM 650 by MITRE Corporation. [CACM 2(5):16 (May 1959)]. [Sammet 1969, p.526]. (1994-11-09)
- Fortran d
A data-parallel Fortran developed by Ken Kennedy at Rice University. [“Fortran D Language Specification”, G. Fox et al, TR 90079, Rice U, March 1991]. E-mail: Theresa Chapman . (1994-12-16)
- Fortran i
An early version of Fortran designed by John Backus at IBM for the IBM 704. The design was begun in 1954 and a compiler released in April 1957. [Was this the first Fortran?] (1995-02-15)