I have 64-bit Windows, where can I download the 64-bit version of your Fortran?
Silverfrost Fortran runs on both 32 and 64-bit Windows. Virtually all modern PCs and laptops run 64-bit Windows. 64-bit Windows can run 32-bit Windows applications; for example, Microsoft Visual Studio
is a 32-bit application and so is Microsoft Office (Office is also available as a 64-bit program). There is only one version of Silverfrost Fortran and it runs on 64-bit Windows just as happily as 32-bit.
What is this 32-bit, 64-bit stuff?
Don't worry about it! Just install and use our Fortran.
When do I have to worry about 32 and 64-bit stuff?
The real difference between 32 and 64-bit is the amount of memory you can use: array size in Fortran. 32-bit programs have a memory limit of a couple of gigabytes - that is a lot of arrays!
If your programs need huge amounts of memory then turning on 64-bit mode will help you.
What is this .NET stuff?
Don't worry about it! Just install and use our Fortran. If programmers need to interface to other .NET code then Silverfrost Fortran can do that too.
Do I have to use Visual Studio?
Absolutely not. There are several ways to create and debug applications with our Fortran - Visual Studio is one of them. Some of the options available are:
| Command Prompt | You can compile, link and debug straight from the 'Command Prompt' just like you used to in MS DOS. This means you can use makefiles if you like (there is even a make utility supplied) or batch files. This style of developing is sometimes thought to be old fashioned - but we disagree. It is quick and very flexible (and it is used by the development team). |
| Plato3 | FTN95 is supplied with Plato3 - an IDE specially designed for Silverfrost Fortran. It will let you edit, compile, link and debug from one application |
| Visual Studio | If you have Visual Studio you can edit compile and debug with Silverfrost Fortran within Visual Studio. Console, Windows or .NET applications can be developed this way. If you want to debug your FTN95 .NET code using a source level debugger then your best options is to use Visual Studio. |
| Other Editors | Using the command line interface you can easily integrate our Fortran into other editors. |
If I buy Silverfrost Fortran... what happens?
The order of events is:
There is no need to worry about a download failing, you can retry for 30 days (or more if required).
4. What licensing options are available?
Silverfrost Fortran is available in three licenced editions:
| Personal | The personal edition is free. You heard that right - free. So what's the catch? It is strictly for personal use or evaluation purposes. You can use it at home on your own personal projects. You can use it to evaluate Silverfrost Fortran with the intention of purchasing it later. Any applications you create with it will display a banner announcing that it is the personal edition. You can download it here. This product is not supported. |
| Commercial | To use Silverfrost Fortran in a commercial environment you must have a commercial licence. This includes anyone who uses Silverfrost Fortran on behalf of a company, for any form of profit or any form commercial gain. In addition, you must purchase a commercial licence if you sell any software created with the personal edition. |
| Academic | The academic licence allows Silverfrost Fortran to be used in educational establishments for research or teaching purposes. The academic licence has a lower cost than the commercial version. |