1) Little Computer Programming History
2) What is programming anyway?
Before we talk about Computer Programming, we can’t ignore the development of computer language. I will start our History language from year 1953 at that time, there are only 100 computer in around the world.
At 1954, FORTRAN (FORmula TRANslation) development started which leaded by John Backus at IBM. FORTRAN finished development at 1957. FORTRAN is a programming language mainly used for Scientific programming. (Well, it is no doubt that programming is originally for Science study ) The other important language developed at time is LISP, which finished its development at 1960. LISP stands for 'LISt Processing', ( but some people call it 'Lots of Irritating and Stupid Parenthesis' because there are a huge number of confusing nested brackets used in LISP programs. ) LISP is mainly used in AI development at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Between 1959 and 1964, Computer built at that time usually regarded as 'Second Generation' computers, based on transistors and printed circuits. Those Second Generation computer is much smaller and more power the second generation of computers could handle interpreters such as FORTRAN (Mainly for scientific research) or COBOL. COBOL (COmmon Business-Orientated Language) It starts develop at 1959 and finished in 1961 by Grace Murray Hopper. COBOL language is mainly for business analysis. 61.
In 1960, the first structure, procedural language ‘ALGOL’ released.
In 1961 APL programming language released by Kennth Iverson at IBM.
Computers built between 1964 and 1972 are often regarded as 'Third Generation' computers, they are based on the first integrated circuits - creating even smaller machines. Typical of such machines was the IBM 360 series mainframe, at that time Mainframe is small computer already, while smaller minicomputers began to open up computing to smaller businesses.
In 1964, Programming language PL/1 released by IBM. About the same time BASIC for mainframe computer (Beginners All Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) developed at Dartmouth College, USA, by Thomas E. Kurtz and John Kemeny. It is often used in education to teach programming, and also at home by beginners
In 1967, Development on PASCAL, which is based on ALGOL started development and finished in 1971. PASCAL is developed by Niklaus Wirth..
Oh, by the way, at 1968 Intel founded by Robert Noyce and a few friends.
In 1968 LOGO programming language developed by Seymour Papert and team at MIT.
In 1970, The most stable operating system UNIX’s development started. It was later released as C source code to aid portability, and subsequently versions are obtainable for many different computers, including the IBM PC. It is still widely used on network and Internet servers, and Red-hat's LINUX is popular as an alternative to DOS on the P.C. Originally developed by Ken Thomson and Dennis Ritchie.
In 1970 'Forth' programming language developed.
In 1972, the most famous programming language C was developed.
In early 1980s OOP ( Object – Orientated Programming ) was introduced at The Bell Laboratories in USA by Dennis Ritche. You may wonder why C language call ‘C’ language? The answer may seem silly, because C language is successor of ‘B’ language, which is a very popular language for system programming (at that time of course ) also born in Bell Laboratories.
Later developments of C++, which incorporates Object-Orientated programming. Used widely for systems and other programming, often used instead of assembler for systems programming because it is very flexible and more easy understand (of course fairly fast, about X times faster than Java) In PC’s world the most popular versions are written by Microsoft ( wow….Uncle Bill ) and Borland
In 1975 Language BASIC was first implement by Bill Gates ( Do you know how old Bill Gates at that time?) and Paul Allen, BASIC was written for the MITS Altair (The first personal computer) this led to the formation of Microsoft later in the year.
For many many year, there are no new important programming language introduce. Until Sun Microsystems introduce Java.
A lot people first heard about programming, they will think programming is very hard. Programming is actually just put some different command together and let computer help us to do those boring job. I believe before you read this paragraph, you already do a lot of program, even you may not notice. For example, did you set your VCR to record your favors TV show? If your answer is yes, congratulation! You already have programming experience (of course you can’t put this experience in resume =) ) . However, if your answer is ‘No’, don’t worry! Just keep reading, I bet you can learn something.
Before I study programming, I always think computer is a kind of scary. Computer seem like can do many thing we can’t. You properly have the same feeling as me. Actually, computer is nothing but a box. Before you input something, it won’t do anything useful. You can try that by looking at your computer on your desk without touch it for few days, see what will that computer do for you. (trust me, answer is Nothing!)
You can think computer as a Magic Box, you need to put something inside, it sure will give you back something. (What to try?)
Anyway, remember Computer Programming just the way you talk to your computer. So that’s why we call them programming language. Language that we use to talk to our computer.
Ok, I think enough talking about what is programming, if you want to know the definition. You can refer to here to see more information.
Ready? Move on…
Quick answer 1) Java ! Why? Read on! Don't care ? ok Let's learn.
If you ask me what programming language should you learn first, I will recommend ‘Pascal’. But I think most of the people disagree with my advise. Why Pascal? not those popular languages as C or C++? because Pure Pascal is a neat language. Remember! Most important part programming is not about remember those syntax of the language. Most important part is the concept of programming. Pascal is a very structure language, very close to English language. After you get used to Pascal language, you will grain a solid foundation of your programming skill.
However, because of people’s trend, I would recommend you to learn Java from now on.
The above just my personal reason, please feel free to tell me your reason!