The Fortran 2003 Handbook: The Complete Syntax, Features

In this review of The Fortran 2003 Handbook the bottom line is clear: this is a reference for programmers who need a thorough, practical guide to the Fortran 2003 language. The book aims to be both a descriptive manual and a rationale for the language's features, making it most valuable to developers maintaining legacy code, authors of scientific programs, and students seeking an authoritative reference. The reviewer found the tone informal but precise, and the combination of complete syntax appendices and detailed intrinsic procedure descriptions makes it a worthwhile desk reference rather than a casual read.

Key Features

• Complete syntax: The book supplies the full Fortran 2003 syntax in appendices, making it easy to confirm language forms when coding or debugging.
• Intrinsic procedures detailed: Each intrinsic procedure is described in detail so readers can understand expected behavior and correct usage in numerical and scientific programs.
• Chapter summaries: Every chapter opens with a concise summary of terms and concepts, helping readers quickly find and recall key points.
• Feature rationale: The handbook explains why features were included and how they support portable, maintainable code, which aids design decisions.
• Practical focus: The informal, readable approach makes complex standards material more accessible for programmers who need working knowledge rather than purely formal definitions.

Who It's For

The Fortran 2003 Handbook is best for professional programmers maintaining or developing scientific and engineering applications where Fortran remains common. It is equally useful for advanced students in computational fields who must understand language details and intrinsic routines.

Readers seeking a beginner tutorial with exercises or a modern introduction to contemporary language ecosystems should look elsewhere; this handbook emphasizes specification, syntax, and procedure reference rather than pedagogical walkthroughs or comparative language guidance.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Comprehensive syntax appendices serve as a reliable quick reference for precise language forms.
• Detailed descriptions of intrinsic procedures aid correct implementation of numerical algorithms.
• Chapter summaries and informal exposition make dense standard material easier to absorb.

Cons

• The handbook is reference-oriented and not designed as a beginner tutorial, so newcomers may find it terse for learning by example.

Specifications

Title	The Fortran 2003 Handbook: The Complete Syntax, Features and Procedures
Authors	Jeanne C. C. Adams; Walter S. Brainerd; Richard A. Hendrickson; Richard E. Maine; Jeanne T. Martin; Brian T. Smith
Subject	Fortran 2003 language reference and procedures
Scope	Complete syntax, intrinsic procedures, feature rationales, chapter summaries
Audience	Programmers, computational scientists, advanced students
Approach	Informal descriptive manual with appendices containing formal syntax

Our Verdict

For developers who need an authoritative Fortran 2003 reference the handbook is excellent value: it pairs complete syntax listings with clear explanations of intrinsic procedures and feature rationale, making it a durable desk reference for scientific and legacy code work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable as a beginner text?
It is primarily a reference and specification guide; beginners will benefit from supplemental tutorials or textbooks with exercises.

Does it include complete syntax for the language?
Yes, the complete Fortran 2003 syntax is supplied in the appendices for precise reference.

Are intrinsic procedures fully documented?
Each intrinsic procedure is described in detail, making the book useful for correct and portable implementation.