Being able to program a computer or create software is akin
to knowing another language. This is not something that comes easily to everyone,
and in the very beginning, it was nearly impossible for most to master.
There was no conception of computing in the worlds of our
ancient ancestors. Their conceptions of computing were limited to math skills,
and the technology used was an abacus. Simple devices that used pegs and cams
were later used to control movements, but this is a far cry from what the world
is used to today.
Real computer programming can be traced back to the 1880's
and the recording of data that was then read by a machine. This was
accomplished using simple punched cards, and became the foundation of the data
processing industry. In 1896 the Tabulating Machine Company was founded which
would later turn into a small company we now know as IBM.
Before the 1950's it was likely to find that each machine
was using a different set of instructions, even when they served the same
purpose. This was due to each program being painstakingly created individually,
which led to slight variations from one machine to the next.
You could liken those early days to trying to use your beard
trimmer without any real beard style in mind. You hit the power button, and get
to work, keeping your fingers crossed that your beard will turn out all right.
Programmers were working willy-nilly, making up stuff as they went along and
hoping all went well. The only difference is that when you mess up with your
beard trimmer you just shave off the whole thing, and wait for it to grow back.
This haphazard method of programming led to expensive machinery not having
available programming to make it run right.
1954 saw the introduction of FORTRAN, and the computer
programming world changed for forever. This had an actual functional
implementation, rather than just design on paper. Punch cards were still used,
but as computer hardware decreased in price, programs could be created by
typing them directly onto the computer. This led to editors that could make
changes and corrections, and eventually moveable storage in the form of discs
that let one program be installed on a number of units at a time.
We have certainly come a long way, although it is not
unlikely that 50 years from now, our grandchildren will be looking at our
programming as if it is archaic. The technological age is in full swing, with
changes and improvements happening every second. The next time you are
frustrated about trying to read code, just remember the punch cards. At least
today, programming is like trimming your beard, where if you mess up you just
hit delete and start again.
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