Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!clarkson!sun.soe.clarkson.edu!taylor Date: Fri, 10 May 91 08:23:01 EDT From: Ross Taylor Message-Id: <9105101223.AA15355@sun.soe.clarkson.edu> Subject: Re: Need Fortran Compiler for a PC Newsgroups: comp.lang.fortran In response to the last message from Shawn Thompson regarding getting software transfers from companies, he suggested picking up an old MS Fortran 3.x. My recommendation, for what it is worth, is to stay away from MS Fortran 3.x. Its a pain to use and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, it is not a complete implementation of F77. MS Fortran did not getto be any good until version 4.01 (now 5.0 is out). I have used these for years and am happy with them but they are not good tools for the beginning FORTRAN programmer (student?). There is a non-trivial learning curve associated with any sophisticated compiler and MS Fortran certainly falls into this category. My sceond recommendation is that the individual who wanted a Fortran compiler for a student (did I remember correctly) look at WATFOR77 form WATCOM. Its a one pass compiler with excellent diagnostics and a built in debugger. Its not that expensive and many universities use it and/or have site licenses for it. Mine does and we have used it for many years in our beginning Fortran course. If the person concerned is going to a University, he/she might look into whether or not that institution has a site license already. Ross Taylor Department of Chemical Engineering Clarkson University Potsdam, NY 13699 (yes, we have our won zip code) taylor@sun.soe.clarkson.edu