From Fortran to Python: A Conversation Across Generations of Scientific Computing
30 Minute Talk
Sunday at 12:30 pm in Ballroom D
What was it like to write scientific code before personal computers, IDEs, or instant feedback loops? In this talk, a mother and son — one who programmed in Fortran using punch cards and one who writes Python today in modern IDEs — reflect on how programming practices, tools, and mindsets have evolved across generations.
Through personal stories and a short demo of a scientific simulation, we compare the experience of coding the same computational model decades apart. This talk is less about syntax and more about what has changed (and what hasn’t) in how we approach problem-solving, debugging, and scientific thinking in code.
Whether you're a veteran programmer or just getting started, join us for a thoughtful, engaging, and intergenerational exploration of scientific computing — from punch cards to Python notebooks and modern IDEs.