Using ANS FORTRAN

by GORDON LYON (Editor), Frances E. Holberton (Contributor), J. Larmouth (Contributor)

This FORTRAN volume presents material that will assist in understanding FORTRAN 66 and its replacement, FORTRAN 77. Because even a superficial comparison of the two language variants will involve contrasting their respective syntaxes, a set of FORTRAN 66 grammar rules is included: These rules, expressed in chart form, are comparable to rules that define FORTRAN 77. Next, there are two chapters of observations on what using standard FORTRAN 66 implies, and how the 1966 Standard is often interpreted and stretched to achieve practical ends. Finally, a comparison of the new FORTRAN 77 with FORTRAN 66 shows how the language has changed, and what converting older programs must entail. The four chapters address programmers concerned with FORTRAN conversions, managers engaged in programming standards, and other practitioners interested in system influences upon languages. Since the text touches upon several general programming aspects (input/output, storage allocation and lifetimes, control structures), the volume’s appeal will extend beyond the immediate FORTRAN community.


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Now freely available from the NIST archives.

Paperback

Published March 1, 1980

Reviews

[Rohit Goswami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naturally not all of this is relevant today. However it is still fantastically fun and a great read. The history and customs of those days which shaped the tools used nowadays is really well described. It also helps to get a perspective on the limitations which had to be overcome back then. We can do better now, and should.