Fortran: The Silent Rise of a 67-Year-Old Programming Language
As I delved into the world of programming languages, I stumbled upon a fascinating trend - Fortran, a 67-year-old programming language, has been rising in popularity. According to the Tiobe index, Fortran has secured a spot in the top 10 most popular programming languages for two consecutive months. This resurgence has sparked my curiosity, and I decided to explore the reasons behind Fortran’s silent rise.
Fortran’s popularity on the rise
Fortran’s Advantages in Numerical Computing
Fortran’s return to the top 10 can be attributed to its advantages in numerical and scientific computing. Paul Jansen, CEO of Tiobe, believes that Fortran’s unique strengths have contributed to its growing popularity. Unlike Python, which is slow, MATLAB, which comes with expensive licensing, C/C++, which lacks native computation support, and R, which is slow, Fortran offers a unique combination of speed, native mathematical computation support, maturity, and being free of charge.
Fortran’s strengths in numerical computing
The Tiobe Index: A Measure of Language Popularity
The Tiobe index is a widely recognized measure of programming language popularity. It takes into account the number of skilled engineers worldwide, courses, and third-party vendors. The ratings are calculated using data from Google, Bing, Wikipedia, and over 20 other websites.
Tiobe’s monthly index of language popularity
The Rise of Fortran: A Surprise to Many
Fortran’s rise to the top 10 has surprised many in the programming community. However, as I dug deeper, I realized that Fortran’s unique strengths make it an attractive choice for numerical and scientific computing. Its silence has been deceptive, and it’s time to take notice of this 67-year-old programming language.
Fortran’s silent rise to the top 10
Conclusion
Fortran’s resurgence is a testament to the ever-changing landscape of programming languages. As we move forward, it’s essential to recognize the strengths of each language and adapt to the changing needs of the industry. Fortran’s rise is a reminder that even the oldest languages can still have a significant impact.
Fortran’s lasting impact on the programming world
