Fortran (Was: The "does Python have variables?" debate)

[Steven D'Aprano]

On Tue, 13 May 2014 00:33:47 -0500, Mark H Harris wrote:

> there has to be a value add for scientists to move away from R or
> Matlab, or from FORTRAN. Why go to the trouble?  FORTRAN works well (its
> fast too), and there are zillions of lines of code cranking away on huge
> linear arrays.  Enter Julia... over the next ten years; seriously.
> Because of the value adds!
> 
>     Why?, glad you asked.  Enter self modifying code for one.

Self-modifying code is a nightmare inside the head of a Lovecraftian 
horror. There's a reason why almost the only people still using self-
modifying code are virus writers, and the viruses they create are 
notorious for being buggy.


-- 
Steven