Python and Fortran 90 in Scientific Computing: A Numerical Comparison Using Heat-Conduction Problems

This paper presents a comparative technical analysis of Python and Fortran 90 for scientific and numerical computing, with particular emphasis on engineering applications involving heat conduction.The study examines the programming structures, array operations, memory management approaches, and computational characteristics of both languages. Numerical heat-conduction problems are used to illustrate their application in engineering calculations, including steady-state one-dimensional conduction with constant and variable thermal conductivity.The paper also discusses the implementation of numerical methods, particularly the Finite Difference Method (FDM) and the Finite Volume Method (FVM), and considers the strengths and limitations of each programming language in scientific computing. The objective is to provide an engineering-oriented comparison that helps readers understand the practical differences between Python and Fortran 90 when developing numerical models and solving computational problems.