Chapter 1 - What is Programming

FORTRAN

(1957) The first successful high-level programming language. FORmula TRANslation. Did math.

Lego Mindstorm NXT

(2006) Programming that is VERY high level. The programmers can click on different blocks. Each block performs a different task. You can program by creating a sequence of these blocks.

Grace Hopper's immeasurable contributions to computer science have earned her the nickname

Amazing Grace

Intranet

Businesses and schools have a series of LANs that all connect into a large network called an Intranet. It's faster, more secure, and cheaper to have an Intranet.

Machine Code

Directly manipulating the 1s and 0s of the computer's binary language.

What does programming in Machine Language mean?

Directly manipulating the wires of the machine.

What was the first successful programming language?

FORTRAN

What was required to program the ENIAC?

Rewriting the machine, had thousands of wires

Grace Hopper

She wrote the first complier in 1952 for the language A-0, paved the way for the other languages that followed.

What is Sneaker Net?

When you have to get up and "put on your sneakers" and walk from computer to computer to share files or print files.

C

(1972) In 1966 BCPL (Basic Combined Programming Language) was made by Martin Richards, written to help running compilers. It kept things running. Used to rewrite the kernel for the UNIX operating system.

What is a peer-to-peer network?

A small group of computers with one common purpose, very small.

Server

A special computer that is connected to the LAN for one or more purposes. Can be used to print, logon authentications, and permanent data storage.

What is a server?

A specialty computer that is connected to a LAN for one or more purposes. Used for printing, logon authentications, permanent data storage and communication.

In 1969, a slimmed down version of BCPL was released. It was simply called B. In 1972, an improved version of B was released. What was that language called?

The language was called C

Normally, businesses and schools have a series of LANs that all connect into a large network called what?

A large network called an Intranet

What is a programmer?

A person who writes a program for a computer.

Program

A program is a sequence of instructions that makes a computer perform a desired task.

What does "Platform Independence" mean?

A program made on one computer would work the exact same way on any computer.

Why did a number of college professors did not like BASIC?

BASIC didn't teach proper programming structure, it taught quick-and-dirty programming

Medium-Level Languages

C and C++ are sometimes considered to be medium-level languages. This is because they have English commands but are very powerful.

Refer to your answer to the previous question. What was the name of the assembler in that computer?

Called Initial Orders

Clients

Computers in a server network.

Describe a Very-High-Level Language.

Don't use words, use pictures that are clicked and dragged to program.

Were early personal computers networked?

Early PCs were NOT networked.

SneakerNet

Early computers were not networked, called stand-alone, many didn't even have printers. Most "networking" was walking from computer to computer.

PL/I was created by combining all of the features of which 2 languages?

FORTRAN and COBOL

What computer first introduced Assembly Language?

First introduced with the EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Computer)

What was BCPL originally intended for?

Intended for writing compilers.

What does ISP stand for?

Internet Service Provider

In 1983, Bjarne Stroustrup created a new language by combining C with OOP. What was that language called?

It was called C++

What is the first Platform Independent language?

JAVA was the first platform independent language.

Low-Level Languages

Languages that fully function and are close to 1s and 0s, very powerful

Very High Level Languages

Languages that use clickable pictures as instructions.

What does LAN stand for?

Local Area Networks

What is another word for Machine Language?

Machine Code

List 2 Low-Level Languages.

Machine Language and Assembly Language

The first practical networks for personal computers were called what?

Peer-to-peer networks or LAN

The intention was that PL/I would be "everything for everyone". The reality was this language was not popular. Explain why.

People did not like the features of the opposing side, ex FORTRAN people didn't like the COBOL features.

COBOL was designed for which group of people?

People who did business.

Traditionally, the introductory courses in computer science focus on

Programming

FORTRAN was designed for which groups of people?

Scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.

Niklaus Wirth created the language Pascal specifically for the purpose of

Teaching Programming

What is the major difference between Java and C++?

With JAVA you had to use OOP.

LISP

(1958) LISt Processing was designed by John McCarthy. Know to help develop artificial intelligence.

COBOL

(1959) Created for the business community and the armed forces. Stands for COmmon Business Oriented Language. It became extremely successful in the Department of Defense.

FORTRAN vs COLBOL

(1960) In the 1960s computer design was not yet standardized and was strongly influenced by programmers' languages of choice. IMB made the System/360 family of computers and was suitable for both FORTRAN and COLBOL.

BASIC

(1964) Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code, Intended to give non-math and non-science majors the ability to use computers. Altair was the first PC.

How is Pascal different from PL/I?

It was very lean, and contained just enough features to be functional.

What does OOP stand for?

Object Oriented Programming

Refer to your answer to the previous question. Why are these languages considered "low-level?"

They function at the level of 1s and 0s, has more control but is harder to learn

Translators

Translates a high-level language into low-level machine code.

PL/1

(1964) Programming Language 1, this language combined all of the number crunching features of FORTRAN with all of the record handing features of COBOL. Was supposed to be for everyone. People didn't like it. ):

PASCAL

(1969) College professors didn't like basic so they made a new one, PASCAL. Called quick-and-dirty programming. Very lean language, enough FORTRAN and COBOL to be functional.

C++

(1983) As computer programs grew more complex a new, more powerful, and more reliable type of programming was needed. This lead to the development of Object Oriented Programming (OOP). Replaced pascal as the official language of programming.

Java

(1995) Platform Independent language. Does not cause problems as programs are transported between different hardware and software platforms, requires OOP to work.

Programmer

A programmer is a person who writes a program for a computer.

Assembly Language

A.K.A. EDSAC, used single-letter mnemonic symbols to represent different series of bits. Still tedious.

LISP is known for being one of the languages specifically designed to help develop _______ _______.

Artificial Intelligence

Who was the primary designer of COBOL?

Grace Hopper

In 1998, the Lego Corporation created their first point-and-click language for use with their Lego Mindstorms robots. In 2006, they released their next language. What was that language called?

It was called NXT

How does an interpreter translate?

One statement at a time DURING execution

After IBM standardized hardware with _____the IBM System/360________, they set out to standardize software as well by

PL/I

Describe a High-Level Language.

Set of specific commands, have very exact meanings and purposes, easier to learn, less control

The Internet came about during what period in our history?

The "Cold War"

Where in the Internet is the central location where all the control computers are located?

The Internet does not have a central location where all control computers are located.

Why did Tom Kurtz and John Kemeny create BASIC?

Too make a simple, basic easy-to-learn language.

ISP

(Internet Service Provider) Something that lets you get on to the internet. Pay a monthly fee for the speed of your internet connection.

What is a program

A sequence of instructions, which enables a computer to perform a desired task.

Peer-to-Peer Networks

First practical networks for PCs, small groups of computers with a common purpose, called LANs (Local Area Network), all computers in the network was equal.

Who is credited with making the term debugging popular and also wrote the first compiler?

Grace Hopper

What was required to simply enter numbers into the Mark-I calculator?

Had to manipulate 1,440 switches to work.

Explain why the use of BASIC become widespread when personal computers came out in 1976.

Most computers could not handle anything bigger than BASIC

Wireless connections are convenient, but there are some problems. List 2 of them.

Much easier to hack than a cable, and there are areas where the signal can be weak.

Internet

The Internet has existed since the 1960s and has its origins in the "Cold War." A means of communication had to be created that was capable regardless of damage created anywhere. Has no central location where all of the control computers are located. Any part of the internet can be damaged and all information will then travel around the damaged area.

What does a computer translator do?

Translates a high-level language into low-level machine code.

Interpreter

Translates one program statement at a time during executions.

How does a compiler translate?

Translates program into an executable file BEFORE execution.

Compiler

Translates the entire program into an executable file before execution.

High Level Languages

Uses English like words as instructions. Easier but less powerful.