This course uses short lectures and focussed computer practicals to teach delegates how to write or modify computer programs using intermediate level features of the Fortran 2003 programming language.

There is a focus on the syntax and effective use of: modules, arrays, pointers, user-defined operations (operator overloading) and input/output.

The course is designed and taught with the help of Visiting Professor John Reid, Convenor of the ISO Fortran Committee ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG5 (Fortran) and co-author of Modern Fortran Explained (Oxford University Press).

At a glance

  • Duration3 days - groups only
  • LocationCranfield University at Shrivenham
  • CostThis course is only available on a group booking basis.  Please contact Dr Shaun Forth to arrange for a quotation. All members of the course receive: A course folder containing all material presented in the course A copy of the course text: Modern Fortran Explained (Oxford University Press) 60 days access to online material used in the practicals.  

Course structure

This  three day course is taught via short lectures (covering key concepts, key techniques and Fortran syntax) interspersed with carefully designed computer practicals which reinforce and extend the lecture material.

What you will learn

On completion you will:

  • Be able to write a Fortran 2003 program to perform a moderately-involved scientific task by appropriate use of: modules, arrays, intrinsic functions and input/output
  • Appreciate the requirement for user-defined operations, linked-lists and trees for some scientific tasks and be able to modify Fortran code for such tasks appropriately.

Core content

The course covers the intermediate features of the Fortran 2003 language:

  • Modules, subroutines and functions: recursive functions and subroutines; keyword and optional arguments; interfaces and interface blocks; generic functions and subroutines; functions and subroutines as arguments; restricting access to modules
  • Operator overloading: user-defined operators and assignment
  • Input/Output: advanced use of open/close/read/write; unformatted input/output; name list input/output; direct access files
  • Pointers: pointers and targets; pointer memory allocation; data structures with pointers
  • Fortran’s intrinsic functions and subroutines.

These are largely the Fortran 2003 equivalent of the features added to the Fortran 90/95 standard.

Timetable

  • Residential: once per year and on request for six or more delegates
  • Can be delivered in suitable facilities of an organisation – details on request.

Who should attend

This course is targeted at scientists and engineers, with a year or more previous Fortran programming experience, who need to design and write moderately involved Fortran programs, or understand and modify more complex Fortran programs written by others.

Prerequisites are attendance on Fortran - Introduction to Programming in Fortran 2003 (or equivalent) or one year’s experience in Fortran 95/2003 programming.

Cranfield's regulations apply to MSc/PGDip/PGCert enrolment.

Speakers

External Speakers

  • Professor John Reid – Convenor of the ISO Fortran Committee ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG5 (Fortran) and co-author of Modern Fortran Explained (Oxford University Press)

Location and travel

Cranfield Defence and Security (CDS) is a Cranfield School based at the Ministry of Defence establishment on the Oxfordshire/Wiltshire borders.

Shrivenham itself lies in the picturesque Vale of the White Horse, close to the M4 motorway which links London and South Wales. It is 7 miles from Swindon, the nearest town, which lies off the M4 at the hub of Britain’s motorway network.

Bath, Cheltenham, Bristol and Oxford are all within an hour’s drive and London less than two hours away by car.

All visitors must be pre-booked in at reception by the person they are visiting on the campus.

For further location and travel details

Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.