Is Fortran Still Relevant? Comparing Fortran with Java and C++

TL;DR

This study compares Fortran, Java, and C++ through a ray tracing application to evaluate Fortran's modern capabilities and differences in features, providing insights for language developers and users.

Contribution

First comprehensive comparison of Fortran with Java and C++ using software metrics on a practical application, highlighting Fortran's current strengths and areas for improvement.

Findings

Fortran's extensions have improved its feature support but still lag behind Java and C++.

Object-oriented features are less mature in Fortran compared to Java and C++.

Binary analysis suggests areas for optimizing Fortran's object handling.

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative study to evaluate and compare Fortran with the two most popular programming languages Java and C++. Fortran has gone through major and minor extensions in the years 2003 and 2008. (1) How much have these extensions made Fortran comparable to Java and C++? (2) What are the differences and similarities, in supporting features like: Templates, object constructors and destructors, abstract data types and dynamic binding? These are the main questions we are trying to answer in this study. An object-oriented ray tracing application is implemented in these three languages to compare them. By using only one program we ensured there was only one set of requirements thus making the comparison homogeneous. Based on our literature survey this is the first study carried out to compare these languages by applying software metrics to the ray tracing application and comparing these results with the similarities and differences found in practice. We motivate the language implementers and compiler developers, by providing binary analysis and profiling of the application, to improve Fortran object handling and processing, and hence making it more prolific and general. This study facilitates and encourages the reader to further explore, study and use these languages more effectively and productively, especially Fortran.