proposed new mailing list: FreeBSD-Fortran

[Anton Shterenlikht]

I propose to create a dedicated FreeBSD Fortran mailing list.
The list will be helpful because:

1. There are a number of ports which depend on fortran compiler
or libraries in some way:

$ find /usr/ports/ -name "Makefile" | xargs grep -i fortran | wc -l
     361
$

2. The FreeBSD Fortran expertise is scattered over many lists
at present. This will be a single point of contact for all
parties interested in Fortran on FreeBSD.

3. There are several developers/committers with Fortran
expertise, e.g. bf@, gerald@, maho@, who maintain a lot
of the critical fortran ports infrastructure, i.e. key
libraries and compilers. The list will help Fortran users
attaract the attention of all these people (hopefully
they will want to subscribe).

4. Fortran is old and new, i.e. there are codes which
are still in 77 standard, and there are compilers supporting
2008 standard. Accordingly, there is a great diversity
of the needs of fortran users. How the fortran ports infrastructure
supports these needs should be discussed.

5. There are number of fortran libraries already in ports.
There are many which are not. A discussion of what would
be good to have in fortran ports is needed. 

6. There might be a discussion of the need
for a long term strategy or plan
for supporting freebsd fortran users for years ahead,
including compilers, libraries and end-user code.

7. Fortran is still the most widely used language
in HPC, where FreeBSD is still a minor player.
This list might help formulate strategy for fortran
growth in FreeBSD and thus for the promotion of
FreeBSD use in HPC. Clearly this is a very ambitious
and a very long term aim.

8. Discussions on this list might lead to a dedicated
FreeBSD Fortran page on the freebsd.org site. The
page might include the current state of fortran ports,
a roadmap for the future, problems, key stumbling blocks, etc.

9. If the list will help formulate priorities for
the freebsd fortran ports, then this might help
attract porting volunteers.

Anton