.F90 File Extension
Fortran 90 Source Code File
| Developer | N/A |
| Popularity | |
| Category | Developer Files |
| Format | .F90 |
| Cross Platform | Update Soon |
What is an F90 file?
The .F90 extension is primarily associated with Fortran 90, an imperative and procedural programming language designed for numerical and scientific computing.
Fortran, an acronym for “Formula Translation,” has a rich history dating back to the 1950s, evolving through multiple versions to meet the ever-changing demands of computational science and engineering.
More Information.
The development of Fortran 90 was driven by the need for modernization and enhanced functionality. Introduced in 1991 by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Fortran 90 incorporated numerous innovations such as dynamic memory allocation, recursion, modules, array operations, and more structured programming constructs compared to its predecessor, Fortran 77.
The initial purpose of Fortran 90 was to address the shortcomings of Fortran 77 and provide a more efficient and flexible language for scientific and engineering computations.
Its advanced features enabled programmers to write more concise, readable, and maintainable code, thereby accelerating the development of complex numerical algorithms and simulations.
Origin Of This File.
Fortran 90 emerged as a significant milestone in the evolution of the Fortran programming language. It succeeded Fortran 77, introducing several new features and enhancements aimed at improving code readability, modularity, and portability.
The .F90 extension denotes source code files specifically written in Fortran 90 syntax, distinguishing them from earlier versions of the language.
File Structure Technical Specification.
.F90 files adhere to the syntax and conventions defined by the Fortran 90 standard. They typically consist of ASCII text containing source code written in the Fortran 90 programming language.
The structure of .F90 files may include variable declarations, function and subroutine definitions, control structures, array operations, and other computational algorithms. Fortran 90 introduced several key features that distinguish it from its predecessors:
- Free-form Source Code: Unlike Fortran 77, which relied on fixed-format source code with strict column-based rules, Fortran 90 introduced free-form source code, allowing greater flexibility in code layout and indentation.
- Dynamic Memory Allocation: Fortran 90 introduced dynamic memory allocation through the ALLOCATE and DEALLOCATE statements, enabling efficient management of memory resources and the creation of dynamic data structures.
- Modules: Fortran 90 introduced the concept of modules, allowing programmers to encapsulate data and procedures into reusable components. Modules enhance code modularity, encapsulation, and information hiding, leading to more maintainable and scalable software.
- Array Operations: Fortran 90 introduced array operations and syntax enhancements, making it easier to perform element-wise operations, array slicing, and array assignments without explicit loops.
How to Convert the File?
Converting .F90 files to other formats or programming languages may be necessary for interoperability or migration purposes.
While direct conversion between programming languages can be challenging due to differences in syntax, semantics, and paradigms, several approaches can be employed:
- Manual Conversion: Manually rewriting .F90 code in the target language or format provides the highest level of control and customization but requires significant time and effort.
- Automated Tools: Various automated code conversion tools and utilities are available that attempt to translate Fortran code to other languages. However, the quality and accuracy of automated conversions may vary, requiring manual intervention and verification.
- Interoperability Libraries: Some programming languages offer interoperability libraries or frameworks that allow calling Fortran code from within other languages or vice versa. This approach enables incremental migration and integration of Fortran functionality into modern software systems.
Advantages And Disadvantages.
Advantage:
- High Performance: Fortran 90 is renowned for its efficiency and performance in numerical and scientific computing applications. Its static typing, array-based syntax, and optimized compilers result in fast execution speeds for computationally intensive tasks.
- Legacy Compatibility: .F90 files maintain compatibility with legacy Fortran codebases, allowing organizations to leverage existing software assets while transitioning to modern programming practices.
- Community Support: Fortran has a dedicated community of users and developers, providing access to libraries, frameworks, and tools tailored for scientific and engineering computing.
- Portability: Fortran 90 code can be compiled and executed on various platforms, including Windows, Linux, macOS, and specialized supercomputing architectures, ensuring cross-platform compatibility and deployment flexibility.
Disadvantage:
- Steep Learning Curve: Fortran’s syntax and programming style may present a steep learning curve for programmers accustomed to modern languages with higher-level abstractions and features.
- Limited Language Features: While Fortran 90 introduced significant improvements over Fortran 77, it may lack some features found in more modern programming languages, such as built-in support for object-oriented programming or advanced standard libraries.
- Debugging and Tooling: Compared to some contemporary languages, Fortran’s debugging tools and integrated development environments (IDEs) may be less sophisticated, requiring additional effort for debugging and code analysis.
- Maintenance Challenges: Legacy Fortran codebases may pose maintenance challenges due to outdated coding practices, lack of documentation, and dependencies on obsolete compilers or libraries.
How to Open F90?
Open In Windows
Use text editors like Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code, both supporting Fortran syntax highlighting and features. Compile using Intel Fortran Compiler or GNU Fortran Compiler, ensuring compatibility and performance.
Open In Linux
Employ text editors such as Vim or Emacs, leveraging their robustness and extensibility. Compile with GNU Fortran Compiler (gfortran), easily accessible via package managers like apt or yum.
Open In MAC
Utilize TextEdit or Atom with Fortran language support, providing a familiar environment for macOS users. Compile using GNU Fortran Compiler (gfortran), installable via Homebrew for seamless integration.
Open In Android
Employ Dcoder, Compiler IDE, offering a comprehensive mobile coding experience with features for writing, compiling, and executing Fortran code directly on Android devices. Enjoy convenience and portability for on-the-go development tasks.
Open In IOS
Utilize Textastic Code Editor or Koder Code Editor, providing sophisticated editing capabilities for Fortran code on iOS devices. Benefit from syntax highlighting, code completion, and remote server connectivity for a versatile coding experience.
Open in Others
Consider cloud-based IDEs, remote servers, or virtual machines for editing and compiling Fortran code on various platforms. Explore options like AWS Cloud9, Google Cloud Shell, or Docker containers for flexible and scalable development environments.
