LFortran can now compile Prima, a Python plotting library, demonstrating its ability to compile significant real-world Python code into performant executables. This milestone was achieved by leveraging LFortran's Python transpiler, which converts Python code into Fortran, and then compiling the Fortran code. This allows users to benefit from both the ease of use of Python and the performance of Fortran, potentially accelerating scientific computing workflows that utilize Prima for visualization. This achievement highlights the progress of LFortran toward its goal of providing a modern, performant Fortran compiler while also serving as a performance-enhancing tool for Python.
The LFortran blog post titled "LFortran Compiles Prima" details a significant advancement in the LFortran compiler's capabilities: the successful compilation of the Prima codebase. Prima is a sophisticated plotting library written in Fortran, historically reliant on the pgplot graphics library for its rendering backend. This reliance on pgplot presented a challenge for modern Fortran development due to pgplot's older design and limitations in areas like interactive plotting. LFortran's accomplishment lies in its ability to compile and execute Prima's code without requiring pgplot, leveraging instead its own modern ASR (Abstract Syntax Tree) based architecture and a modern plotting backend.
This achievement is broken down into multiple facets. First, LFortran's ability to parse and analyze Prima's extensive Fortran codebase demonstrates its maturity and robustness as a compiler. Second, the successful compilation indicates compatibility between LFortran and a substantial, real-world scientific code, showcasing its practical applicability. Third, LFortran's capacity to replace the pgplot dependency with a more contemporary alternative underlines the project's commitment to modernizing the Fortran ecosystem. This not only streamlines the compilation and execution process but also paves the way for enhanced plotting functionalities and potentially improved performance. The post highlights the modifications implemented within LFortran's own ASR and built-in functions to accommodate Prima’s specific requirements, which included replicating some of pgplot’s core functionalities. This involved significant work to ensure accurate and efficient emulation of pgplot's behavior within LFortran's framework. Furthermore, the post emphasizes the goal of moving beyond mere emulation towards fully integrating modern plotting backends. This implies that LFortran's team intends to provide native support for contemporary graphics libraries, offering a significant advantage to Fortran programmers utilizing plotting functionalities. Finally, the successful compilation of Prima serves as a substantial step forward in LFortran's development, demonstrating its capability to handle complex, real-world codebases and pushing the boundaries of modern Fortran development by enabling the use of updated, powerful graphics libraries.
Summary of Comments ( 9 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43280985
Hacker News users discussed LFortran's ability to compile Prima, a computational physics library. Several commenters expressed excitement about LFortran's progress and potential, particularly its interactive mode and ability to modernize Fortran code. Some questioned the choice of Prima as a demonstration, suggesting it's a niche library. Others discussed the challenges of parsing Fortran's complex grammar and the importance of tooling for scientific computing. One commenter highlighted the potential benefits of transpiling Fortran to other languages, while another suggested integration with Jupyter for enhanced interactivity. There was also a brief discussion about Fortran's continued relevance and its use in high-performance computing.
The Hacker News post "LFortran Compiles Prima" (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43280985) has generated several comments discussing LFortran's progress and its potential impact on scientific computing.
Several commenters express excitement about LFortran's ability to compile Prima, a computational physics library. They see this as a significant step forward, demonstrating LFortran's increasing maturity and capability to handle complex scientific codebases. The successful compilation of Prima is viewed as a validation of LFortran's approach and its potential to become a viable alternative to existing Fortran compilers.
Some commenters highlight the potential benefits of LFortran, particularly its interactive mode and potential for improved debugging and code exploration. The interactive nature of LFortran is seen as a major advantage for scientific computing, where iterative development and experimentation are common.
There's a discussion around the challenges of modernizing Fortran and the role LFortran might play in this process. Commenters acknowledge the legacy of Fortran in scientific computing and the need for modern tools to maintain and enhance existing codebases. LFortran is mentioned as a possible solution, offering a more modern development experience while maintaining compatibility with existing Fortran code.
A few commenters inquire about LFortran's performance compared to established compilers like gfortran and ifort. Performance is a critical factor in scientific computing, and the community is keen to understand how LFortran compares in this regard. While some preliminary benchmarks are mentioned, there's a general desire for more comprehensive performance data.
One commenter expresses skepticism about the long-term viability of Fortran, questioning the language's relevance in the modern scientific computing landscape. However, other commenters counter this argument by emphasizing the vast amount of existing Fortran code and the continued use of Fortran in high-performance computing. They argue that LFortran can help bridge the gap between legacy code and modern tooling, extending the lifespan of Fortran in scientific research.
Overall, the comments reflect a generally positive sentiment towards LFortran and its potential to revitalize Fortran development. The successful compilation of Prima is seen as a major milestone, and the community is eager to see how the project continues to evolve. There is also a healthy discussion about the future of Fortran and the role LFortran might play in shaping that future.