Year: 1998
Type: article
Abstract: An OverviewObject-oriented programming (OOP) has become a powerful method of software engineering.Better modelling via abstraction, re-use and stability benefit the construction, extension and maintenance of large programmes.The main techniques of OOP are known as data abstraction and encapsulation (information hiding), inheritance, and polymorphism (including dynamic binding).Fortran has been and still is the language of choice for many scientists and engineers but C++ has made some inroads because of its availability, power and speed, despite its complexity and the lack of a standard.Fortran 90 has made a huge step towards a modem Fortran, adding such desparately needed features as memory allocation, user-defined types, modules, etc.However, the appearance of F90 has coincided with the rapid increase of interest in OOP, mainly in the form of C++.With some hesitation and delay [1] the responsible Fortran committee WG5 has added OOP to the requirements of the next Fortran standard, dubbed F2000, which should become available around 2002/3.The addition of OOP to Fortran 2000 is an important and complex requirement.The quality, power and flexibility of the OOP features will certainly determine the reception of Fortran 2000, and one must hope that the new standard will not be characterized as too little too late.A short introduction to OOP was given recently [2].In this article I want to give, mostly by example, an idea of OOP, its strength and certain problems, and at the same time sketch the hows and whats of implementing OOP in Fortran, some of which are unknown in a procedural language like Fortran.The design of every feature should fully support the basic ideas of OOP and good programming practices.In my view, one must start with a comprehensive design which in turn will lead to a good, simple and safe implementation of OOP in F2000 and give Fortran a clear competitive edge.Unfortunately the J3 committee charged with drafting a proposal currently favours a minimalist version.Hence I must warn the readers that while I whet their appetites they may be served a less sumptuous meal in a few years time.
Source: ACM SIGPLAN Fortran Forum
Author: Werner W. Schulz
Institution: University of Cambridge
Language: English
Subfield: Software
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4240924748