End of the Fortran Classic compiler (ifort): Get ready for (ifx)!

As the famous Greek philosopher Heraclitus pointed out, change is the only constant in this world. This maxim is particularly true in the field of software, as illustrated by Intel’s recent announcement about the depreciation of its Fortran Classic compiler (ifort).

Implications and opportunities

The deprecation notice for the Fortran Classic compiler (ifort) marks the beginning of the end for this well-known version among developers. However, this deprecation does not imply immediate removal. It rather signals to users that the transition to the Intel Fortran compiler (ifx) is inevitable, with a gradual removal planned from the end of 2024.

This evolution is not just a name change. It represents an opportunity to access enhanced capabilities, optimized performance, and continued support for the latest and future Intel technologies.

Why migrate to (ifx)?

Intel has announced that its compiler (ifort) will be phased out from the end of 2024 (it will not be included in the new 2025 version). Customers with Intel Priority support can continue to download it for an additional year. Only critical and necessary patches, such as security updates, will be implemented until Fortan Classic (ifort) is finally removed.

Intel strongly recommends that (ifort) users migrate to the Intel Fortran compiler (ifx) to ensure a smooth transition and continued support.

The benefits of this migration include:

• Faster compilation times,
• Optimizations for the latest and future Intel processors,
• The ability to accelerate code with Intel GPUs,
• Support for the latest Fortran standards, etc.

To learn more about the depreciation of Intel Fortran Classic (ifort) and the benefits of transitioning to (ifx), read the full article.