Re: Ada vs Fortran for scientific applications

["George N. White III" <aa056@chebucto.ns.ca>]

On Mon, 22 May 2006, Nasser Abbasi wrote:

> I like to discuss the technical reasons why Ada is not used as much as
> Fortran for scientific and number crunching type applications?
>
> To make the discussion more focused, let's assume you want to start
> developing a large scientific application in the domain where Fortran is
> commonly used. Say you want to develop a new large Finite Elements Methods
> program or large computational physics simulation system. Assume you can
> choose either Ada or Fortran.

Such a project requires signficant resources, so the decision isn't up to
the individuals who will do the work.  Managers will ask questions like:

1.  if the lead programmer gets killed riding her motorcycle when the 
project is 95% complete, who can I find to finish the job?

2.  the project needs to remain useful for 20-30 years.  Which compiler 
has a 30-year track record?

With questions like this, Ada would have to offer really signficant 
benefits to be chosen over Fortran, but the answers also depend on the
organization.  Some organizations foster a structure where no one 
individual is irreplaceable, and would expect any of the programmers to
be able to take the place of a fallen colleague.  Some organizations don't 
simply consume tools, but treat them as a resource that must be maintained
and nourished.  An organization that embrasses Ada to the point that they 
employ people who participate in standards activities and provide a 
resource to the internal developer community will not give as much weight 
to Fortran's historical record.

If you take the long term view, you should also ask: will the organization 
still be around in 30 years?

-- 
George N. White III  <aa056@chebucto.ns.ca>