A Historical Journey: The Development of FORTRAN and BASIC

When exploring the history of computing, we often encounter seminal moments and notable figures. In the early days, programming languages played a crucial role in the development of computing technology. Two of the earliest significant languages were FORTRAN and BASIC. This article delves into the birth of these languages, their key characteristics, and their influence on the modern computing landscape.

Introduction to Programming Languages

At the dawn of computing, the process of writing programs was tedious and often required manual programming. Early computers used machine language, a binary system of 1s and 0s that required precise and error-free input. This made it difficult for non-specialists to use computers, thus, the need for higher-level languages emerged.

The Birth of FORTRAN

FORTRAN (Formula Translation System) was one of the first high-level languages, introduced by IBM in 1957. Alan J. Martin, John W. Backus, and their team at IBM started working on FORTRAN in 1954. The primary goal was to simplify the process of programming for scientists and engineers who needed to perform complex calculations.

Key Features of FORTRAN

FORTRAN introduced several innovative features that were ahead of its time, including:

Data types: FORTRAN introduced the concept of data types, allowing for better management of different kinds of data (integer, real, etc.). Subroutines: These allowed for the modular structure of code, where reusable blocks of code could be written and called as needed. Loops and conditional statements: These made programming more manageable by allowing for iterative and conditional processing. Formatting of output: FORTRAN provided ways to format the output for better readability and presentation of data.

The Emergence of BASIC

BASIC (Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) was developed in 1964 by John Kemeny and Thomas Kurtz at Dartmouth College. BASIC was designed with the goal of making programming accessible to a broader audience, including students and those without formal training in computer science.

Key Features of BASIC

BASIC introduced several user-friendly features, including:

Job control language: This allowed users to easily control the flow of their program. Simplified syntax: BASIC's syntax was designed to be closer to natural language, making it easier to learn and use. Interactive operation: BASIC allowed for immediate feedback and modification of programs without the need to recompile. Flexible use: It could be used for a wide range of applications, from simple calculator programs to more complex tasks.

Comparison of FORTRAN and BASIC

While both FORTRAN and BASIC were pioneering languages, they served different purposes and catered to different audiences. FORTRAN was more suited for scientific and engineering applications, utilizing complex mathematical computations, while BASIC was more suited for general-purpose programming and education.

Legacy and Impact

The legacy of FORTRAN and BASIC lies in their influence on the development of subsequent programming languages. Many languages that followed incorporated features from both, such as data types, syntax, and modular programming. Today, FORTRAN is primarily used in scientific computing, while BASIC has evolved into more modern dialects like Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) and has had a significant impact on the development of other high-level programming languages.

Conclusion

The development of FORTRAN and BASIC marked a pivotal moment in the history of computing. Their unique features and widespread adoption have left an indelible mark on the field, influencing subsequent languages and laying the groundwork for the modern computing landscape.

Further Reading

To learn more about the development of early programming languages and their impact on modern computing, consider exploring the following resources:

"The Evolution of FORTRAN" by John R. Rice Dartmouth Basic for Beginners Basics of Computer Programming