Compaq Visual Fortran vs Intel Visual Fortran: Which One to Choose for Windows 7 64 Bit?
Compaq Visual Fortran Windows 7 64 Bit Free Download
Compaq Visual Fortran (CVF) was a popular compiler for the Fortran programming language that was widely used by scientists and engineers for developing high-performance applications. However, CVF is no longer supported or updated by its original developer, Compaq (now part of HP), and it does not work on modern operating systems such as Windows 7 64 bit. In this article, we will explore the history of CVF, the installation and compatibility issues of CVF on Windows 7 64 bit, and the alternatives and solutions for CVF users who want to continue using Fortran on their computers.
compaq visual fortran windows 7 64 bit free download
History of Compaq Visual Fortran
Origins and development of Compaq Visual Fortran
CVF was originally developed by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) as Digital Fortran, a successor to their previous compiler, DEC Fortran. Digital Fortran was based on Microsoft's implementation of Fortran 90, which was integrated with Microsoft's development environment, Visual Studio. Digital Fortran added many enhancements and extensions to the standard Fortran language, such as support for object-oriented programming, parallel processing, graphical user interface (GUI) development, debugging tools, and performance optimization.
In 1998, DEC was acquired by Compaq, which continued to develop and market Digital Fortran under the name Compaq Visual Fortran. CVF became one of the most popular and widely used Fortran compilers in the world, especially in the fields of scientific computing, numerical analysis, engineering simulation, and data processing. CVF supported various versions of Windows operating systems, from Windows NT to Windows XP.
Discontinuation and legacy of Compaq Visual Fortran
In 2001, Compaq sold the rights to CVF to Intel, which developed its own Fortran compiler, Intel Visual Fortran (IVF), based on CVF. IVF was compatible with CVF in terms of language features and development environment, but it also added support for newer Fortran standards, such as Fortran 95, 2003, and 2008. IVF also supported newer versions of Windows operating systems, such as Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10.
Compaq stopped supporting and updating CVF after version 6.6, which was released in 2003. CVF users who wanted to upgrade to IVF had to purchase a new license from Intel, which was more expensive than CVF. Some CVF users chose to stick with CVF, either because they were satisfied with its features and performance, or because they had legacy code that was not compatible with IVF. However, CVF users faced many challenges and difficulties when trying to run CVF on newer operating systems, such as Windows 7 64 bit.
Installation and compatibility issues of Compaq Visual Fortran on Windows 7 64 bit
Why Compaq Visual Fortran does not work on Windows 7 64 bit by default
CVF was designed for 32 bit Windows operating systems, which means that it can only address up to 4 GB of memory. Windows 7 64 bit, on the other hand, can address up to 16 TB of memory, which allows it to run more complex and demanding applications. However, this also means that Windows 7 64 bit has different system requirements and security features than Windows XP or earlier versions.
One of the main reasons why CVF does not work on Windows 7 64 bit by default is that it requires administrator privileges to install and run. Windows 7 64 bit has a feature called User Account Control (UAC), which prevents unauthorized changes to the system settings and files by requiring the user to enter a password or confirm an action. UAC also blocks some applications from running if they are not digitally signed or verified by Microsoft. CVF is not compatible with UAC, and it may fail to install or run properly if UAC is enabled.
Another reason why CVF does not work on Windows 7 64 bit by default is that it relies on some components and libraries that are either outdated or missing on Windows 7 64 bit. For example, CVF uses the Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) library for creating GUI applications, but the version of MFC that CVF uses is not compatible with Windows 7 64 bit. CVF also uses some registry keys and environment variables that are either different or absent on Windows 7 64 bit. These components and libraries need to be updated or installed separately for CVF to work on Windows 7 64 bit.
How to install Compaq Visual Fortran on Windows 7 64 bit using various methods
There are several methods that can be used to install and run CVF on Windows 7 64 bit, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most common methods:
Compatibility mode: This is the simplest and easiest method, which involves changing the compatibility settings of the CVF installer and executable files. To do this, right-click on the file, select Properties, go to the Compatibility tab, check the box that says "Run this program in compatibility mode for:", and choose "Windows XP (Service Pack 3)" from the drop-down menu. This will make Windows 7 64 bit emulate the behavior of Windows XP when running CVF. However, this method may not work for all CVF features and functions, especially those that involve accessing system resources or external devices.
Virtual machine: This is a more advanced and reliable method, which involves creating a virtual environment that runs a separate operating system inside Windows 7 64 bit. To do this, you need a software program called a virtual machine (VM) manager, such as VirtualBox or VMware Workstation. You also need an installation disc or image file of a compatible operating system, such as Windows XP or earlier versions. You can then use the VM manager to create a virtual machine that runs the compatible operating system, and install CVF inside the virtual machine. This will allow you to run CVF as if it were running on a real computer with the compatible operating system. However, this method may require more disk space and memory than the compatibility mode method. It may also have some performance and compatibility issues when interacting with the host operating system or other applications.
Third-party tools: This is a more specialized and customized method, which involves using some software programs that are designed to make CVF work on Windows 7 64 bit. Some examples of these tools are Silverfrost FTN95, Absoft Pro Fortran, and Lahey/Fujitsu Fortran. These tools either replace or modify some of the components and libraries that CVF uses, such as MFC, registry keys, and environment variables. They also provide some additional features and functions that CVF does not have, such as support for newer Fortran standards, debugging tools, and performance optimization. However, this method may require some technical knowledge and skills to use these tools properly. It may also have some compatibility and licensing issues with CVF or other software programs.
Depending on your needs and preferences, you can choose one of these methods or a combination of them to install and run CVF on Windows 7 64 bit. However, you should also be aware of the limitations and risks of using CVF on an unsupported operating system, and consider upgrading to a more modern and compatible Fortran compiler if possible.
Alternatives and solutions for Compaq Visual Fortran users on Windows 7 64 bit
How to upgrade to Intel Visual Fortran or other modern Fortran compilers
If you want to use Fortran on Windows 7 64 bit without any installation or compatibility issues, you should consider upgrading to Intel Visual Fortran or other modern Fortran compilers that support Windows 7 64 bit. These compilers offer many advantages over CVF, such as:
Support for newer Fortran standards: These compilers support the latest versions of the Fortran language, such as Fortran 95, 2003, 2008, and 2018. These versions introduce many new features and improvements to the language, such as object-oriented programming, generic programming, coarrays, interoperability with C, dynamic memory allocation, and enhanced input/output.
Support for newer Windows operating systems: These compilers support the latest versions of Windows operating systems, such as Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10. These versions offer many new features and improvements to the operating system, such as enhanced security, performance, reliability, user interface, and compatibility.
Support for newer development environments: These compilers support the latest versions of development environments, such as Visual Studio or Eclipse. These environments offer many new features and improvements to the development process, such as code editing, debugging, testing, profiling, refactoring, version control, and collaboration.
Support for newer hardware and software technologies: These compilers support the latest hardware and software technologies that can enhance the performance and functionality of your applications, such as multicore processors, parallel computing, cloud computing, graphics processing units (GPUs), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and big data.
To upgrade to Intel Visual Fortran or other modern Fortran compilers, you need to purchase a new license from the respective developer or vendor. You also need to migrate your existing projects and code from CVF to the new compiler. This may involve some changes and modifications to your code to make it compatible with the new compiler and the new Fortran standards. You may also need to update or replace some of the libraries or tools that you use with CVF.
How to use online resources and communities for Compaq Visual Fortran support
If you decide to stick with CVF on Windows 7 64 bit or any other operating system, you may need some help or guidance from time to time. You may encounter some errors or bugs that are not documented or fixed by Compaq. You may also want to learn some tips or tricks that can improve your productivity or performance with CVF. You may also want to share your experience or knowledge with other CVF users.
Fortunately, there are many online resources and communities that can provide you with useful information and support for CVF. Some examples of these resources and communities are:
Documentation: You can find the official documentation for CVF on the HP website. This documentation includes user guides, reference manuals, release notes, error messages, FAQs, and tutorials. You can also find some unofficial documentation for CVF on various websites [^3^ and blogs, such as CVF Open Access, CVF Archives, and RCTNet. These documents provide detailed and updated information about CVF, such as installation instructions, user guides, error messages, FAQs, and tutorials.
Forums: You can find online forums where you can ask questions, share solutions, or discuss topics related to CVF, such as Stack Overflow, Reddit, Quora, and Fortran Forum. These forums have many active and experienced users who can provide you with helpful answers and feedback. You can also search for previous posts that may have already addressed your issue or query.
Blogs: You can find online blogs where you can read articles, reviews, or opinions about CVF, such as Fortran90.org, Fortran Fanatics, and Fortran Best Practices. These blogs offer insights and perspectives from different Fortran experts and enthusiasts. You can also comment on the blog posts or contact the authors directly.
These online resources and communities can help you overcome some of the challenges and difficulties of using CVF on Windows 7 64 bit or any other operating system. However, you should also be careful and critical when using these resources and communities, as they may contain inaccurate or outdated information, biased or subjective opinions, or malicious or harmful links.
Conclusion and FAQs
In conclusion, CVF is a powerful and popular Fortran compiler that was developed by Compaq in the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, CVF is no longer supported or updated by Compaq, and it does not work on modern operating systems such as Windows 7 64 bit. To use CVF on Windows 7 64 bit, you need to use some methods such as compatibility mode, virtual machine, or third-party tools. These methods may have some advantages and disadvantages in terms of performance, functionality, and reliability. Alternatively, you can upgrade to a more modern and compatible Fortran compiler such as Intel Visual Fortran or other compilers that support Windows 7 64 bit. These compilers offer many benefits over CVF in terms of language features, development environment, hardware and software technologies, and operating system support. Finally, you can use some online resources and communities that provide useful information and support for CVF users, such as documentation, forums, and blogs. These resources and communities can help you solve some problems or learn some tips related to CVF. However, you should also be careful and critical when using these resources and communities, as they may contain inaccurate or outdated information, biased or subjective opinions, or malicious or harmful links.
Here are some FAQs related to the topic of this article:
Q: How can I download Compaq Visual Fortran for free?
A: Compaq Visual Fortran is not a free software. You need to purchase a license from Compaq or HP to use it legally. However, you may be able to find some unofficial sources that offer CVF for free download on the internet. However, these sources may not be trustworthy or safe to use. They may contain viruses or malware that can harm your computer or data. They may also violate the intellectual property rights of Compaq or HP. Therefore, we do not recommend downloading CVF from unofficial sources.
Q: How can I check if my computer is running 32 bit or 64 bit Windows?
A: You can check the system type of your computer by following these steps:
Click on the Start button and type "system" in the search box.
Select "System" from the list of results.
Under "System", look for "System type". It will show either "32-bit Operating System" or "64-bit Operating System".
Q: How can I convert my Compaq Visual Fortran code to Intel Visual Fortran code?
A: Intel Visual Fortran is compatible with most of the Compaq Visual Fortran code. However, there may be some differences or incompatibilities in some language features or libraries. To convert your CVF code to IVF code, you need to follow these steps:
Create a new project in IVF using the same settings as your CVF project.
Add your CVF source files to the IVF project.
Build your IVF project and check for any errors or warnings.
Fix any errors or warnings by modifying your code according to the IVF documentation or online resources.
Test your IVF project and check for any errors or bugs.
Repeat the process until your IVF project works as expected.
Q: How can I learn more about Fortran programming?
A: There are many online and offline resources that can help you learn more about Fortran programming, such as books, courses, tutorials, videos, podcasts, and websites. Some examples of these resources are:
Books: You can find many books that cover various aspects of Fortran programming, such as syntax, features, standards, applications, and best practices. Some examples of these books are Modern Fortran Explained by Michael Metcalf, John Reid, and Malcolm Cohen; Fortran 95/2003 for Scientists and Engineers by Stephen J. Chapman; and Introduction to Programming with Fortran by Ian Chivers and Jane Sleightholme.
Courses: You can find many online and offline courses that teach you the basics and advanced topics of Fortran programming, such as data types, control structures, functions, modules, arrays, pointers, classes, interfaces, and parallel computing. Some examples of these courses are Introduction to Fortran by Coursera; Fortran Programming for Engineers and Scientists by edX; and Fortran for Scientific Computing by Udemy.
Tutorials: You can find many online tutorials that guide you through the steps of creating and running simple and complex Fortran programs, such as hello world, calculator, matrix multiplication, prime number generator, and game of life. Some examples of these tutorials are Learn Fortran by Programiz; Fortran Tutorial by Tutorialspoint; and Fortran 90 Tutorial by Michael Goerz.
Videos: You can find many online videos that demonstrate and explain various concepts and examples of Fortran programming, such as variables, expressions, loops, subroutines, derived types, polymorphism, inheritance, and coarrays. Some examples of these videos are Fortran Programming Tutorial by Derek Banas; Learn Fortran in One Video by Caleb Curry; and Modern Fortran Programming by Arjen Markus.
Podcasts: You can find some online podcasts that discuss and interview various experts and enthusiasts of Fortran programming, such as history, development, challenges, opportunities, and future of Fortran. Some examples of these podcasts are The Fortran Podcast by Milan Curcic and Ondřej Čertík; The Art of Programming in Modern Fortran by Software Engineering Daily; and The Future of Fortran by IEEE Spectrum.
Websites: You can find some online websites that provide useful information and resources for Fortran programming, such as news, articles, blogs, forums, documentation, code, tools, and libraries. Some examples of these websites are Fortran Wiki, Fortran.com, and Fortran.io.
I hope this article has helped you understand the topic of Compaq Visual Fortran Windows 7 64 bit free download. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me or leave a comment below. Thank you for reading and happy Fortran programming!
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