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From: smryan@garth.UUCP (sous-realiste)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.fortran
Subject: Re: What is the FORTRAN for ?
Message-ID: <662@garth.UUCP>
Date: 8 Aug 90 21:15:45 GMT
References: <1990Jul25.174153.16896@ecn.purdue.edu> <14448@lambda.UUCP> <7404@drydock.cray.com>
Reply-To: smryan@garth.UUCP (sous-realiste)
Organization: intergraph/apd in sunny california
Lines: 31

>Of course, in principle, any well-defined computation can be compiled
>into efficient code (vectorized, autotasked (TM), or whatever.)
>On the other hand, for certain computations, Fortran expresses the
>computation more clearly for the purposes of the compiler.

Advanced languages (neither Fortran nor C) can express computation even
clearer than Fortran.

For example Algol68 would permit the compiler to define the operator `+' on
two vector arguments. It could then generate an inline sequence for the
operator, so that one could have `a[m,] + b[,n]' expand into (on a Cy205)

	gather: b -> temp
	addv: a+temp -> temp

Apparently Fortran90 will also permit such. However will Fortran90 permit
`p[m,] and q[,n]'?

	gather: b -> temp
	andv: a&temp -> temp

And many other languages also regard themselves as tool for the programmer
rather than challenge.

If a Fortran is an infantile disorder, what is C? Don't worry, though, my
code just needs a fix. Just one more fix, please.
-- 
Her somber eyes consider all        ||/+\==/+\||                     Steven Ryan
that loom and tower, large and tall.||\=/++\=/||       ...!uunet!ingr!apd!smryan
Her everyday is always new          ||/=\++/=\||...!{apple|pyramid}!garth!smryan
and fills her eyes of frail blue.   ||\+/==\+/||   2400 Geng Road, Palo Alto, CA