Fortran 95 Compiler -- addenda

[Thomas Madden]

Hi Derick:

Thanks for your response,

I am really a complete beginner at all of this. I had seen the Absoft and
IBM compilers but was hoping to avoid any additional cost since I am only at
the introductory level. I ordered a text "Fortran 90/95 for Scientist and
Engineers" to get started. From what you wrote it appears that g77 may be
all that I need. I am hoping that this is the case, and will check to see if
I installed it.

Thanks again,

Thomas


On 12/17/05 7:57 AM, "Derick Centeno" <aguilarojo at verizon.net> wrote:

> Hi Thomas:
> 
> YDL includes g77 (it implements ANSI Fortran 95, I believe -- if you
> select the options within the compiler to obey those rules) which is
> the free open source GPL (General Public License) Fortran compiler.
> g77 is part of the standard installation, if I recall correctly.  There
> are other Fortran compilers but they are commercial -- as in not free,
> and usually start within the $300+ range (and that doesn't include
> specialized packages).  Absoft provides a really complete Fortran
> compiler.  If you are developing code professionally then you can
> defray these costs according to the commercial projects you are engaged
> in.  You may also be able to defray the costs for the commercial
> packages as a professional within academia.
> 
> If you were paying attention during the YDL installation process you
> would have noticed that there are many free programming packages
> available for use within YDL (for use in C/C++ and Fortran as well as
> others) which implement very advanced mathematical algorithms.
> However, they are not installed unless you select them.  There are
> brief descriptions of each package to help you decide whether these
> could be useful within your area of expertise.
> 
> Fortunately, the very big advantage in using g77 and other GPL based
> languages is that you can implement your work, and engage in as much
> research as necessary without unnecessary financial expenses.  If you
> need something, you can always build it yourself.  Necessity, remains
> the mother of invention.  This can be a positive experience in which
> one's programming skills expand in otherwise unexpected ways.
> Eventually you may find that you may have developed and expanded an
> open source application by adding a completely new feature.  This is
> definitely another way to get noticed within your area of interest.
> However, you can also discover that something you need -- a package,
> which implements a particular algorithm -- may exist within the open
> source community already.  You may be pleasantly surprised.  You could
> find yourself also easily disappointed.  However, the open source
> Fortran is standard (depending upon what settings you choose during
> compile time) and as a programmer it is not a bad place to evolve one's
> skills.
> 
> The commercial products from Absoft are definitely outstanding, but
> whether they are justified as a purchase is question dependent upon
> what you intend to do.  You may discover that working with g77 may be
> all that you really need a for a long time.  If not, there is always
> Absoft.
> 
> If you want more information you can go here:
> 
> http://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc-3.4.1/g77/
> 
> Another option to gain more information is to go to Google and enter
> g77 in the Search field and see what comes up.
> 
> Best wishes...
> 
> On Dec 16, 2005, at 9:09 PM, Thomas Madden wrote:
> 
>> Hello,
>> I have installed YDL 4.0.1 on a Mac G4 533 dual. I am interested in
>> beginning programming. I have a background in math, so I was hoping to
>> learn
>> Fortran. Can you tell me if there is a Fortran 95 compiler available?
>> And,
>> can you explain how to install it?
>> 
>> Also, can you offer me some advice on how to get started. What exactly
>> do I
>> need to install in addition to the compiler? And, what steps do I take
>> to do
>> this?
>> 
>> Thanks in advance for any assistance.
>> 
>> Thomas
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> yellowdog-newbie mailing list
>> yellowdog-newbie at lists.terrasoftsolutions.com
>> http://lists.terrasoftsolutions.com/mailman/listinfo/yellowdog-newbie
>> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> yellowdog-newbie mailing list
> yellowdog-newbie at lists.terrasoftsolutions.com
> http://lists.terrasoftsolutions.com/mailman/listinfo/yellowdog-newbie