1.1    A very brief history

   Fortran from its development was intended for translating scientific equations into computer code.   It's name is derived from FORmula TRANslation.  Developed between 1954 and 1957 by IBM, it was the first program that converted an algorithm into machine language that the computer could read and execute.  It was revolutionary and made programming much easier than the generating of machine language by hand.

    Fortran went through many revisions over the years.  FORTRAN II came out in 1958 and FORTRAN IV in 1962 (I am not sure what happened to III).  FORTRAN IV was renamed FORTRAN 66 when it became an ANSI standard in 1966.    The next major update came in 1977 with FORTRAN 77.  This is the version that has been used for the last 20 or so years and is still used by the hard-core, crazy engineers who resist change and enjoy difficult programming.

    Fortran 90 was developed in 1991 and addresses most of the problems with FORTRAN 77, incorporates most of the new features of languages developed in newer programming languages, attempts to phase out some archaic programming features from previous versions by offering more direct commands, and abandons the tradition of writing Fortran in all upper case.  Fortran 90 is a big improvement.  Fortran 95 was an update in 1997 that offered a few new features and makes obsolete those awkward options that 90 was attempting to phase out.  Although developed early in the 90's, compilers have only recently become available for widespread use of Fortran 90.  The resistance of many to the newer version and the simple and versatile (even though less powerful) features of many new computer languages  made Fortran/FORTRAN fall out of favor with many during the 90's.  Now that Fortan 90/95 compilers are readily available, lucky students like you will be able to have all the advantages of Fortran compilers with much simpler programming syntax.

    Also, a newer version of Fortran is in development that will allow more modern features like object oriented programming and will be able to run more efficiently when used for parallel computing.

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