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Blog: Is Fortran better than Python for teaching the basics of numerical linear algebra?

Newsgroups	sci.math, comp.lang.fortran, comp.lang.python
From	"Johann \"Myrkraverk\" Oskarsson" <johann@myrkraverk.invalid>
Subject	Blog: Is Fortran better than Python for teaching the basics of numerical linear algebra?
Organization	Watcom Pro Ltd.
Message-ID	<WFfnS.67381$kqHe.6119@fx07.ams4> (permalink)
Date	2026-09-06 23:29 +0800

Cross-posted to 3 groups.

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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 ( ;; ) _:;

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