FORTRAN (Formula Translation) in programming history: which description best identifies its nature among the choices below?

Introduction / Context:
FORTRAN—short for Formula Translation—is one of the earliest high-level programming languages, designed to express mathematical formulas compactly and to support scientific and engineering computation. Recognising its intended domain helps distinguish it from system-focused or machine-specific languages of the same era.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The options mix claims about portability level and domain orientation.
• Classic FORTRAN targeted numerical computing and array-heavy workloads.
• We must select the most accurate descriptor from the list provided.

Concept / Approach:
FORTRAN’s design centres on mathematics: array operations, intrinsic numeric functions, and straightforward expression of formulas. While implementations existed for many machines, calling it “machine dependent” is misleading for the language itself; and “medium-level language” is not a standard classification for FORTRAN, which is historically categorised as high-level. Therefore, the most accurate choice from the given set is that FORTRAN is a mathematically oriented language.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Language histories consistently present FORTRAN as the flagship for numerical computing, with enduring use in HPC and scientific codes.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing the portability of source code with system-specific library calls; conflating early implementation limits with the language’s intended abstraction level.

Final Answer:
A mathematically oriented language.