What Fortran Is and Why It Is Still Used 70 Years Later

What is Fortran?

Fortran is a programming language: a way to give a computer instructions. It is compiled, meaning software translates the written program into a form the computer can run. Fortran was designed for numerical and scientific computing, where programs work with calculations and data. ³

The name is commonly associated with the language’s early focus on translating mathematical formulas into computer instructions. The supplied sources do not give details about its name or its original development, so this account focuses on what they establish: Fortran is a long-standing language used in scientific computing. ¹³

What does Fortran do?

Fortran has been used in fields that rely on scientific calculations and computer models. The Fortran community’s anniversary announcement names nuclear engineering, weather and climate forecasting, and materials science as examples. It says the language continues to be used in these and other areas. ¹

That matters because scientific software can remain part of important work over a long period. The source describes Fortran as supporting critical infrastructure and technological advances, but it does not identify particular systems or provide a measure of how widely the language is used today. ¹

Why is Fortran still used after 70 years?

The sources point to a practical reason: Fortran continues to serve scientific and engineering fields that use it for computing. A language’s age alone does not show whether it is useful today. The available information does not compare Fortran’s speed, cost, or ease of use with other languages, so it cannot establish that Fortran is best for every new project. ¹³

Fortran’s continued role is most clearly supported here in scientific computing. The announcement says it remains a go-to language in the named fields, but offers no current user counts, project lists, or survey results. ¹

What does Fortran’s 70th anniversary mark?

The anniversary marks 70 years since the first Fortran manual was published on October 15, 1956. It is a milestone for the language’s documented history, rather than proof that every feature or practice has remained unchanged. ¹

The Institute of Computing for Climate Science at the University of Cambridge says it will hold a celebration at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum on December 1, 2026. The planned workshop includes a retrospective, a keynote, short talks about current developments and community initiatives, and a discussion about the future. ¹

What should a beginner know about learning Fortran?

These sources explain Fortran’s purpose and areas of use, but they do not provide a beginner’s guide, learning materials, or advice on choosing a first programming language. They also do not compare Fortran with other languages in detail. ¹³

For someone considering Fortran, the clearest starting point in this research is to ask whether their work involves scientific or numerical computing. For guidance on a specific course, project, or career path, consult a qualified instructor or a relevant professional community.