Thread View: bionet.software.contrib
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Started by g_ahrendt
Fri, 25 Nov 1988 12:21
RE: RE: Languages
Author: g_ahrendt
Date: Fri, 25 Nov 1988 12:21
Date: Fri, 25 Nov 1988 12:21
1 lines
315 bytes
315 bytes
What have you got against FORTRAN?
Re: RE: RE: Languages
Author: i_massey
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 1988 10:32
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 1988 10:32
41 lines
1942 bytes
1942 bytes
In article <567958@vaxa.uwa.oz>, g_ahrendt@vaxa.uwa.oz writes:
> What have you got against FORTRAN?
This is not the forum, but just quickly:
. 6-character identifiers
. scalar data types limited to integer, real, double, character, logical,
complex - where are the rest?
. data structures limited to array and string - where are the rest?
. minimal facilities for block structuring
. optional pre-declaration of scalar variables
. implicit typing
. use of 1. for 1.0, combined with overloading of dots, as in .T.
. tokenizing dependent on semantics
. layout restrictions
. no pointers
. no recursion
. no mandatory runtime checks on addresses
. parameter passing only by reference
On the plus side:
. modularity (cf original Jensen/Wirth Pascal)
. formatted I/O (cf C's %this and %that)
It's a powerful language in which it's difficult to express yourself
clearly. That's dangerous.
Sure, you can live with it. But why bind yourself in such bonds?
Even scientists can indulge themselves in clear and natural notations :-).
i.
Iain Massey, Division of Public Health
Department of Medicine, The University of Western Australia
Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009
Phone : +61 9 389 2462 Fax : +61 9 389 3648
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