# GNU Fortran > Fortran compiler **Wikidata**: [Q1050459](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1050459) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_Fortran) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gnu-fortran ## Summary GNU Fortran is a free software [1] compiler for the Fortran programming language. It is part of the GNU Compiler Collection and supports various Fortran standards, including Fortran 77, Fortran 90, Fortran 95, Fortran 2003, and Fortran 2008 [1]. The software is designed to be compatible with multiple operating systems, including GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows [1].Development of GNU Fortran is community-driven, with contributions from volunteers and organizations worldwide [1]. It is distributed under the GNU General Public License, ensuring users have the freedom to run, study, share, and modify the software [1]. ## Summary GNU Fortran (GFortran) is a free software compiler for the Fortran programming language. It serves as the Fortran front-end for the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) and is distributed under the GNU General Public License. The compiler provides a standard tool for compiling Fortran code on various operating systems. ## Key Facts - **Aliases:** GFortran, GNU Compiler for Fortran. - **License:** GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later. - **Parent Project:** Part of the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC). - **Category:** Instance of a compiler and free software. - **Language:** Implements the Fortran programming language (originally inception 1957). - **Website:** https://gcc.gnu.org/fortran/ - **Package Name:** Distributed as `gfortran` in Ubuntu, Debian, and Alpine Linux. - **Source Code:** Maintained in a Git repository at `https://gcc.gnu.org/git/?p=gcc.git`. - **Issue Tracking:** Bugs tracked at `https://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/`. ## FAQs ### Q: What is GNU Fortran used for? A: GNU Fortran is used to compile computer code written in the Fortran programming language into executable programs. It acts as the compiler for the GNU Compiler Collection specifically for Fortran. ### Q: Is GNU Fortran free to use? A: Yes, it is classified as free software. It is distributed under the GNU General Public License (version 2.0 or later), which allows users to freely run, study, change, and distribute the software. ### Q: How is GNU Fortran installed on Linux? A: It is commonly available through the `gfortran` package in major Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Debian Stable, and Alpine Linux. ## Why It Matters GNU Fortran plays a critical role in the modern computing landscape by providing a free, standard-compliant compiler for one of the world's oldest and most enduring programming languages. As the Fortran language (created in 1957) remains a cornerstone in fields requiring high-performance numerical computation, GFortran ensures that codebases can be compiled and maintained on contemporary hardware without reliance on proprietary, costly software locks. Its inclusion in the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) means it benefits from the robust infrastructure, optimization backends, and cross-platform support of the wider GCC ecosystem. Furthermore, its classification as free software—specifically under the GNU General Public License—guarantees that users and developers have the legal and technical freedom to modify the compiler to suit specific needs. By offering packages in major Linux distributions like Ubuntu and Debian, it lowers the barrier to entry for developers and scientists, ensuring the longevity and accessibility of Fortran-based applications. ## Notable For - Being the official Fortran **front-end for the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC)**. - Providing a **free software alternative** to proprietary Fortran compilers under the GPLv2+ license. - Its wide availability in Linux ecosystems via the **`gfortran` package**. - Supporting a language (Fortran) with a history dating back to **1957**. - Hosting its source code in a **public Git repository**, facilitating open development. ## Body ### Identity and Classification GNU Fortran, often abbreviated as **GFortran**, is identified as a compiler and a piece of free software. It is alternatively known as the "GNU Compiler for Fortran." The project is an implementation of the Fortran programming language, which is a general-purpose language that originated in 1957. GFortran operates as a component of the **GNU Compiler Collection (GCC)**, utilizing GCC's infrastructure to process and optimize code. ### Licensing and Usage Rights The compiler is distributed under the **GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later**. This licensing categorizes it as free software, defined by the user's liberty to run, study, change, and distribute the software and any modified versions. While the software is licensed freely, it maintains a "copyrighted" status. The project has an entry in the Free Software Directory under "Gfortran." ### Technical Infrastructure **Source Code and Development:** The primary source code repository is hosted by GCC using **Git** (`https://gcc.gnu.org/git/?p=gcc.git`), preferred over the older Apache Subversion (SVN) repository (`svn://gcc.gnu.org/svn/gcc`). Development issues and bugs are tracked via the GCC Bugzilla at `https://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/`. The man page for the utility is `gfortran.1`. **Operating System Support:** GNU Fortran is designed to run on specific operating systems (referenced internally as Q3251801) and is widely supported across various Linux distributions. It is available for installation via the `gfortran` package in: - Ubuntu - Debian Stable - Alpine Linux ### Documentation and Resources - **Official Website:** `https://gcc.gnu.org/fortran/` - **Wikipedia Presence:** The project has articles across 10 language editions, including English, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean. - **Wikidata ID:** `/m/0b62hh` (Freebase ID). ## References 1. [Source](http://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Gfortran) 2. [Source](https://gcc.gnu.org/fortran/) 3. [Free Software Directory](https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Gfortran) 4. [Source](http://gcc.gnu.org/) 5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 6. [Source](https://gcc.gnu.org/wiki/GFortran)