# DAP FORTRAN

> extension of the non IO parts of FORTRAN

**Wikidata**: [Q5204273](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5204273)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DAP_FORTRAN)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dap-fortran

## Summary
DAP FORTRAN is an extension of standard FORTRAN designed to support parallel execution, specifically for the ICL Distributed Array Processor (DAP). It focused on optimizing non-I/O operations for parallel programming, making it a specialized dialect of FORTRAN for high-performance computing.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of**: Parallel programming language
- **Dialect of**: FORTRAN
- **Used by**: ICL Distributed Array Processor
- **Wikidata ID**: Q2338534
- **Freebase ID**: /m/02q8sx_
- **Microsoft Academic ID (discontinued)**: 2779076067
- **Wikipedia title**: DAP FORTRAN
- **Wikipedia languages**: English (en)
- **Sitelink count**: 1

## FAQs
### Q: What is DAP FORTRAN used for?
A: DAP FORTRAN was used to write programs for the ICL Distributed Array Processor, a parallel computing system designed for high-performance scientific and engineering applications.

### Q: How does DAP FORTRAN differ from standard FORTRAN?
A: DAP FORTRAN extended standard FORTRAN by focusing on parallel execution, particularly for non-I/O operations, to optimize performance on the ICL DAP architecture.

### Q: Is DAP FORTRAN still in use today?
A: DAP FORTRAN is largely obsolete, as the ICL DAP system it was designed for is no longer widely used. However, it remains a historical example of early parallel programming languages.

## Why It Matters
DAP FORTRAN played a significant role in the early development of parallel computing by providing a specialized language for the ICL Distributed Array Processor. It allowed programmers to leverage parallel execution for scientific and engineering tasks, which were computationally intensive at the time. While the ICL DAP system itself is no longer in widespread use, DAP FORTRAN represents an important milestone in the evolution of parallel programming languages. Its focus on optimizing non-I/O operations for parallel execution laid the groundwork for later developments in high-performance computing.

## Notable For
- **Specialized for parallel execution**: DAP FORTRAN was designed specifically for the ICL DAP, a parallel computing system, making it one of the earliest languages optimized for such architectures.
- **Extension of FORTRAN**: As a dialect of FORTRAN, it inherited the language's structure while adding features for parallelism, demonstrating how established languages could be adapted for new computing paradigms.
- **Historical significance**: DAP FORTRAN is a key example of early efforts to bridge sequential and parallel programming models, influencing later developments in parallel computing.

## Body
### Overview
DAP FORTRAN was developed as an extension of standard FORTRAN to support the ICL Distributed Array Processor (DAP), a parallel computing system. The language focused on optimizing non-I/O operations for parallel execution, making it a specialized tool for high-performance scientific and engineering applications.

### Development and Usage
- **Primary Use**: DAP FORTRAN was used exclusively for programming the ICL DAP, a parallel computer designed for large-scale numerical computations.
- **Parallel Programming**: The language enabled programmers to write code that could be executed in parallel across multiple processors, a novel approach for its time.

### Legacy
- **Obsolete System**: The ICL DAP system, and by extension DAP FORTRAN, is no longer in use, as parallel computing architectures have evolved significantly.
- **Historical Importance**: Despite its obsolescence, DAP FORTRAN remains a historical example of early parallel programming languages and a case study in adapting established languages for new computing paradigms.

### Technical Details
- **Dialect of FORTRAN**: DAP FORTRAN extended standard FORTRAN by adding constructs for parallel execution, particularly for non-I/O operations.
- **Wikidata Classification**: It is classified as a parallel programming language, reflecting its design for concurrent execution.