Technology
The Evolution of Programming: Before Compilers and Languages
The Evolution of Programming: Before Compilers and Languages
Programming has come a long way since the advent of modern computing languages and compilers. From the early days of soldering individual logic circuits to the toggle switches and punch cards, the journey of programming has been both fascinating and challenging.
Early Days of Computing at IBM 790 School (1960s)
My early experience in the world of computing began in the early 1960s at IBM 790 School. It was during this time that we programmed using hexadecimal code. The era of punched cards and electro-mechanical machines was the norm. This was a time when programming was as much about manual labor as it was about coding.
Manual Logic Circuits for Computation
My first forays into computation involved building devices from individual logic circuit components. One particularly interesting device was a cricket circuit which would chirp when conditions were right. For instance, it chirped if there was no light or sound, and stopped chirping if either light or sound were present for five minutes after they ceased. This was more of a prank toy than a serious computational device, but it demonstrated the foundational logic of programming without the aid of high-level languages.
Machine Language and Early Computing Technologies
My journey in programming continued at Purdue University where I interfaced with the ElectroData 205 vacuum tube computer, which used paper tape for instruction entry. Later, the transition to the Remington Rand Solid State 80 marked a significant shift in technology. These early systems required a profound understanding of machine language and the physical layout of the circuitry to function properly. Without compilers or interpreters, every instruction had to be manually entered and optimized for the hardware.
The Shift Back to 1960s Technologies
Despite the progression of software technologies in the 1970s, the industry saw a return to the simplicity and robustness of the early 1960s methods. According to those in the industry, 'If it is not programmed in C/C , it is not worth using.' This led to a significant shift in the development process, with many projects being re-coded in C/C for improved performance and security.
The Rise of C/C and Maintenance Challenges
The rise of C/C can be traced back to the mid-1980s. It was during this time that C/C became the preferred language for software development. However, with any complex software project comes the challenge of maintenance. According to a renowned software manager, 'only 20% of software costs are incurred at product launch, while the remaining 80% of costs are spent on maintenance, bug fixes, and enhancements over the product’s useful lifetime.' This shift to C/C has had a profound impact on the software industry, leading to some organizations going bankrupt due to the high costs associated with maintaining large codebases.
The Importance of Non-Language Programming Tools
There are instances where programming without language-specific tools is still necessary. In the mid-1980s, I worked extensively with programmable devices that used toggle switches for input and an octal-display for output. Even the 5-inch gun software was written in this era, long before the advent of high-level programming languages. Despite the limitations, these tools were invaluable and served specific purposes.
Conclusion
The evolution of programming has been marked by significant changes, from manual soldering to advanced compilers and interpreters. Despite the advancements, the core principles of programming remain the same. There will always be a need for tools that do not rely on high-level languages, ensuring that the future of programming is both unpredictable and exciting.