Path: utzoo!censor!geac!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!ncar!gatech!prism!gt4512c From: gt4512c@prism.gatech.EDU (BRADBERRY,JOHN L) Newsgroups: comp.lang.fortran Subject: Re: Fortran vs. C for numerical work Message-ID: <17548@hydra.gatech.EDU> Date: 26 Nov 90 18:13:20 GMT References: <21884@orstcs.CS.ORST.EDU> <531@taumet.com> <9282@mirsa.inria.fr> Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology Lines: 57 In Article 4291 (Kjartan Emilson ) writes: > >Graduate students here get an extensive formation in computational >techniques, and recently we decided to convert totally to the use of the >C and the C++ language as our main programming languages... Good for you! It sounds like a good fit for your particular research area. However, I would question anyone who would adopt exclusive usage of ANY form of C for numerical work! If you adopt the philosophy that C and FORTRAN represent software TOOLS, C in any form represents a 'metric' tool not easily accepted (or practical) for all jobs - NO LANGUAGE IS! > >This idea of batch job, compared to interaction on a workstation, is >very important... even though the actual job only takes a few minutes >in running. If instead you write a program which runs *interactively* >on a workstation on your desktop, you actually see what is happening >and you can change the parameters of the system accordingly, immediately. > Make a change in C 'immediately' yes! But are you talking about productive code and debug cycles being done quickly by 'non-computer types' ??? Even the most experienced C programmer on any platform may question this. > >2. Another reason is the concept of abstraction. A language such as C++ >(and C if you are careful) offers the possibility of creating more abstract >data types and operation, which are more adapted to the theory in which >you work.... > Yes! Yes! Yes!... >Some people did not believe that it was possible to teach pure and >hard physicists these programming language, but the result is quite the >opposite! and more than that the enjoy it... > I love what C and C++ may ALLOW you to do, but enjoy it (Ughhhhhh)... >In short: Fortran was a language designed to make calculations in batch >on some large mainframe, and is not adapted to be on your desktop. > Says who??? There are SEVERAL PC based compilers and tools that are every bit as good or better than their mainframe counterparts! For the most part I agree with some of your points, but I wonder how many colleges and universities are creating theoretical scientists who also happen to be C wizards ???? -- John L. Bradberry |Georgia Tech Research Inst|uucp:..!prism!gt4512c Scientific Concepts Inc. |Microwaves and Antenna Lab|Int : gt4512c@prism 2359 Windy Hill Rd. 201-J|404 528-5325 (GTRI) |GTRI:jbrad@msd.gatech. Marietta, Ga. 30067 |404 438-4181 (SCI) |'...is this thing on..?'