Programming languages in atmospheric physics

AI Thread Summary
In atmospheric physics, particularly outside of meteorology, key programming languages include C/C++, Python, and Java, primarily due to their compatibility with common data formats like HDF and NetCDF. MATLAB is also used for computational tasks, with a potential shift towards Julia for enhanced performance. Fortran remains significant due to its legacy in modeling, especially versions like Fortran 77 and Fortran 90. Python is recommended as a primary language, with the Anaconda distribution suggested for its extensive libraries and ease of use. Overall, a diverse range of languages is utilized in the field, reflecting the varied requirements of computational modeling in atmospheric physics.
LittleMrsMonkey
Messages
49
Reaction score
13
I do know this is very vague and maybe a little bit dumb.
But are there languages that are ,generally,used much more than others in atmospheric physics?Excluding meteorology.
I put this thread in Academic Guidance because this question is translated to "What computer languages should I focus on if I'm interested in atm.physics"
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Since this involves computational modeling then I'd say it would be C/C++, Python and Java.

A lot of data is often stored in HDF and NetCDF file formats. These formats have API libraries for C/C++, Python and Java.

Some computational stuff would probably be done in MATLAB as well which could lead to Julia in the future for performance reasons.

Legacy modeling often uses Fortran so basically you're looking at a variety of languages.

If I had to choose one I'd choose Python and branch out from there like using the Anaconda distribution.

http://quant-econ.net/python_or_julia.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Likes LittleMrsMonkey
LittleMrsMonkey said:
I do know this is very vague and maybe a little bit dumb.
But are there languages that are ,generally,used much more than others in atmospheric physics?Excluding meteorology.
I put this thread in Academic Guidance because this question is translated to "What computer languages should I focus on if I'm interested in atm.physics"
You should also be familiar with the Programming Langauge Which Must Not Be Named (Fortran). There's still a lot of physics codes from various fields which are still programmed in this language, especially the Fortran 77 and Fortran 90 standards.
 
  • Like
Likes LittleMrsMonkey
Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...
Back
Top