Blog: Is Fortran better than Python for teaching the basics of numerical linear algebra?
"Johann \"Myrkraverk\" Oskarsson" <[email protected]>
| Newsgroups | sci.math,comp.lang.fortran,comp.lang.python |
|---|---|
| Organization | Watcom Pro Ltd. |
| Message-ID | <[email protected]> |
Dear comp.lang.fortran, sci.math, and comp.lang.python, I came across this blog post about the question which is better to teach mathematics, Fortran or Python. I'm currently still reading it, but will share with you this introductory paragraph. > I’ve been teaching an /Intro to Scientific Computing/ class for nearly > 10+ years. This class is intended for second year engineering students > and, as such, places a large emphasis on numerical linear algebra. > Like the rest of Academia, I’m using a combination of Python and numpy > arrays for this. Yet, after all these years, I start to believe it > ain’t necessarily the right choice for a first encounter with > numerical linear algebra. Obvisouly everything is not black and white > and I’ll try to be nuanced. But, in my opinion, a strongly typed > language such as Fortran might lead to an overall better learning > experience. And that’s what it’s all about when you start Uni: > learning the principles of scientific programming, not the quirks of a > particular language (unless you’re a CS student, which is a different > crowd). From https://loiseaujc.github.io/posts/blog-title/fortran_vs_python.html and you are best served by reading the blog post on your own. Best wishes, and happy switching from Python to Fortran 77! -- Johann | email: invalid -> com | http://www.myrkraverk.com/blog/ I'm not from the Internet, I just work there. | via Easynews.com https://bsky.app/profile/myrkraverk.bsky.social | for ( ;; ) _:;