FORTRAN Full Form

Fortran programming is one of the computer languages used for the computation of mathematical functions. Fortran is one of the very first high level programming languages and it was first developed by John Backus in the year 1957. The term Fortran is a combination of two words - formula and translation. Thus, the Fortran full form is formula translation. 

Fortran programming specifically designed for arithmetic and scientific computations. Fortran programming is one of the oldest programming languages and it is most useful for computing scientific data. In this article, we will learn the Fortran full form along with the full form of cobol and Fortran full meaning. Let’s start learning!!

Full Form of COBOl and Fortran

• COBOL is one of the earliest high level computer languages. The full form of COBOL and Fortran are self-explanatory terms and both are the combination of their functioning. So, COBOL full form or long form is Common Business Oriented Language. 

• COBOL is one of the high-level programming languages designed particularly for business applications. 

• COBOL is considered as the second oldest programming language as Fortran is the oldest among all. It was developed together by the private sector and the U.S. government to fulfil two objectives, i.e., portability and readability. 

• COBOL was suitable for business applications that run on great computers. COBOL programming uses regular English language and all the instructions are clearly spelt out which makes it easily understandable and much higher in comparison to the same program written in another language.

So, after understanding the full form of COBOL and fortran language full form, now let us move to the Fortran full meaning. For more interesting aspects of Fortran, programming readers should also study the full form of fortran and pascal.

Fortran Full Meaning

The development of Fortran, which originated and brought into use in the year 1957, marked an important stage in the development of computer programming languages. The preceding programming was written in the machine language, which is known as the first generation or assembly (second-generation) language, which challenged the programmer to write guidance in binary or hexadecimal arithmetic. 

Difficulty with the abstract nature of such programming led Backus to explore a simpler, more accessible way to interface with computers. Throughout the three-year development stage, Backus led an eclectic team of 10 International Business Machines (IBM) employees to formulate a language that consolidated a form of English shorthand with algebraic equations.

Fortran helped the active writing of computer programs that ran approximately as efficiently as programs that had been thoroughly hand-coded in machine language. As computers were limited and extremely costly, incapable programs were a greater financial issue than the long and painstaking development of machine-language programs. With the creation of an efficient higher-level (or natural) language, also known as a third-generation language, computer programming went ahead a small circle to include engineers and scientists, who were instrumental in developing the use of computers.

Fortran is a universally useful programming language, particularly used for numerical calculations in for example designing. Fortran full meaning is FORmula TRANslation, and the abbreviation of Formula translation was Fortran and was originally promoted as Fortran to make it easy to understand. 

Now, the following is the most advanced information to support the first letter in quite a while, we will call it Fortran. Fortran was the main truly significant-level programming language used particularly for logical estimations. The work on Fortran began in the 1950s at IBM and there have been numerous adaptations since. By show, a Fortran variant is indicated by the last two digits of the year the standard was proposed.

Before the invention of Fortran, programmers used assembly/machine code to develop a program that was excessively difficult and time-consuming. This led to the invention of Fortran which was simple to learn, machine-independent makes mathematical calculations easy and is suitable for all types of applications. Since it was so easy to code, programmers were able to write their programs 500% faster in Fortran than the earlier ones.

Fortran IV and Fortran 77 are the most common versions of Fortran. Fortran IV became a USASI standard in 1966 and Fortran 77 was approved by ANSI in 1978. In the early 1990s, a new ISO and ANSI standard for Fortran, called Fortran 90 was developed.

Some of the Key Features of This Language Are as Follows:

• Simple Language: Easy to learn and understand.

• Machine Independent: A program can be transported from one machine to another machine.

• Expresses Complex Mathematical Functions: It offers various natural ways to express complex mathematical functions.

• Efficient Execution: Only around 20% decrease in efficiency as compared to assembly or machine code.

• Storage Allocation: It allows programmers to control the allocation of storage.

• Freedom in Code Layout: The programmers don't need to layout code in rigidly defined columns unlike assembly or machine language.

What is the Significance of Fortran Programming?

Fortran is intended for researchers and designers and has flooded the field. For 30 years, Fortran has been used for tasks such as plan structure and expansion planning, factory mechanization control, storm leak planning, logic information inspection, and more. 

The development of Fortran, which occurred in the year 1957, marked a huge stage in the advancement of PC programming dialects. Fortran boosted the fast composition of PC programs that ran almost as proficient as projects that had been difficult hand-coded in machine language.

What is the Statement Used in Fortran Programming?

A Fortran statement contains at least one catchphrase, representative name, strict constant, and manager, with appropriate emphasis. In Fortran, the slogan is not kept under all special circumstances. Most explanations start with a slogan; exemption is self-confidence and a mission statement.

Applications of Fortran Programming

After studying the history of Fortran programming, Fortran full form in computer language, full form of Cobol and Fortran we must understand the application of Fortran full meaning. Let us have a look at the applications of Fortran programming.

• The main use and purpose of the Fortran programming was the computation of mathematical functions. Thus, the major application of Fortran programming is, it is very easy to solve algebraic problems using Fortran.

• Fortran programming is used in numeric computation, such as to solve problems from numerical analysis.

• Fortran programming is highly applied in scientific computations.

Did You Know?

• The name Fortran was suggested in the original paper by IBM, on November 10, 1954, named as, “Specifications for the IBM Mathematical FORmula TRANslating System, Fortran”. In the real paper, the program language statements were mentioned as the formulas.

• The title of the programming language was altered from an acronym, “Fortran”, to a proper noun, “Fortran”, beginning with the Fortran 90 standard.