Help with XCode and Fortran

I need some help with my PhD thesis. I need to develop a program in Fortran and I am not too sure how to do this on my mac.

I have a copy of Microsoft Developer Studio, but when I try to run it on Parallels, I am getting a fatal error message. My co-worker told me that he saw this as well whenever he did not have MS Dev installed on the C drive. Since I have a “virtual C drive” I am wondering if I can even run MS Dev on parallels.

I have heard that it is easier to program on the Mac side of things, but I have not done this before. From what I understand there is a program called Xcode (although it is not on my machine right now, I think it came on the CD) that I could use.

Has any one every used X code for programming Fortran?

I am assuming that I need to install X code and a Fortran compiler. Does anyone know where I could get the compiler?

Can someone give me the basics on how I could start programming
Fortran on the Mac.

Thank you in advance.

rosula2008 said:

I have a copy of Microsoft Developer Studio, but when I try to run it on Parallels, I am getting a fatal error message. My co-worker told me that he saw this as well whenever he did not have MS Dev installed on the C drive. Since I have a “virtual C drive” I am wondering if I can even run MS Dev on parallels.

Click to expand...

Plenty of people run the whole MS Dev Studio in VMs, so that in it self isn't your problem. You co-worker has indicated you are missing something. Search that message in some MDS forum or Google.

rosula2008 said:

I have heard that it is easier to program on the Mac side of things, but I have not done this before. From what I understand there is a program called Xcode (although it is not on my machine right now, I think it came on the CD) that I could use.

Click to expand...

When they talk 'easier', they tend to compare it to other popular languages, such as C++.

Yes, your install disc does have XCode, but I don't recall it having Fortran. If you want the latest XCode you can download it from Apple for free by signing up for a free developer id.

rosula2008 said:

Has any one every used X code for programming Fortran?

I am assuming that I need to install X code and a Fortran compiler. Does anyone know where I could get the compiler?

Can someone give me the basics on how I could start programming
Fortran on the Mac.

Click to expand...

I don't know, but let me Google that for you. Several people have discussed Fortran. Load XCode so you know what version you have. That may be relevant.

I have used my mac for programming in FORTRAN for several years now. However, I code in F77 (!) and use the GNU gcc/g77 compiler suite. You can google gcc and follow their instructions for downloading it for free to your mac. I believe there was a binary version available for my mac, but I run a powerpc with Tiger. You will have to see if their is a build for your mac and you will want gcc/gfortran since g77 is not supported anymore.

The easiest way to access open source for the mac and keep it up to date is using Fink (google, it is free). A helper program for fink is called FinkCommander (google, also free). Install Fink first, then the helper program. This gives you a gui interface for accessing many open source code out there for the mac. I believe this is how I got my gcc/g77 suite.

Alternatively, you can buy a compiler for the mac such as the Portland Group compilers,

PGI | Products

This product is pretty expensive but I understand they work very well and are used for some pretty heavy duty compiling (e.g. climate models) so will likely be around awhile. The software works for C, C++, FORTRAN and possibly others.


hope this was helpful. Yolande

FYI, I checked the gfortran website and there is a build for an intel mac running Tiger or Leopard.

GFortranBinaries - GCC Wiki

I believe these builds are 32-bit only. That is, the executables you create will not take advantage of a 64-bit machine.

-Y.