Feasibility of Creating a REST API Using Fortran with JSON

Fortran is primarily a programming language designed for numerical and scientific computing, which makes it a bit unconventional when it comes to creating REST APIs. However, with the right approach and tools, it is possible to leverage Fortran in this context, particularly for its computational strengths, while integrating JSON for data exchange. This article explores the feasibility of creating a REST API with Fortran and JSON, discussing the technical aspects and practical implications.

Introduction to REST API in Fortran

A REST API (Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface) is a set of rules and protocols for building web services. It allows different systems to communicate with each other, often using HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE. While Fortran is not traditionally used for web development, its computational capabilities can be harnessed in specific scenarios.

Options for Creating a REST API with Fortran

Creating a REST API with Fortran involves several options and considerations. Below, we explore various methods and the specific tools required for each:

Using a Web Server Library

One approach is to use web server libraries specifically designed for Fortran. These libraries handle HTTP requests, allowing Fortran to respond to these requests. Popular choices include:

CGI (Common Gateway Interface): This is a standard protocol for web servers to execute program code in response to requests. F90CGI: A Fortran 90 interface for CGI programming. Fortran Web Server: Another library that supports web server functionality in Fortran.

These libraries enable Fortran to process web requests, but they might not be as well-established as their counterparts in other languages like Python or JavaScript.

Using External Tools

An alternative approach is to write the core logic in Fortran and use it as a backend service. This can be exposed through a more web-friendly language like Python, Node.js, or Go. These languages have extensive support for web development and JSON handling, making them ideal for creating a REST API:

Python Flask: A lightweight web framework for Python. Node.js Express: A robust web framework for Node.js. Go: A modern language with built-in support for web development.

The chosen language can act as a middleware to call the Fortran code, handle JSON, and manage the API's HTTP requests and responses.

Handling JSON with Fortran

A REST API typically relies on JSON for data exchange. Fortran does not have built-in support for JSON, which means additional steps are required to handle JSON data. Libraries like Fortran JSON can be used to parse and generate JSON, or you can implement your own parsing logic. This is crucial for a REST API as JSON is a common format for request and response bodies.

Example Architecture

An example of a practical architecture for creating a REST API with Fortran and JSON might look like this:

Fortran Backend: Implements the core logic and computations. Web Server: Uses a lightweight web server, such as Flask in Python, to handle HTTP requests and responses. JSON Serialization: Handles JSON data in the web server layer, translating it to and from the format expected by the Fortran code.

This approach leverages Fortran's strengths for numerical and scientific computing while using a more appropriate language for web development and JSON handling.

Conclusion

While it is technically possible to create a REST API using Fortran, it is more practical to utilize Fortran for its computational backend and leverage a more suitable language or framework for the API layer. This mixed architecture allows you to take advantage of Fortran's computational capabilities while ensuring efficient and effective web development and JSON handling.