Timeline of computer programming

By Offsquire

  • Herman Hollerith invented the recording of data on a medium that could then be read by a machine.

  • Alan Turing presents the notion of a universal machine

    Later called the Turing machine, it was capable of computing anything that is computable. The central concept of the modern computer was based on his ideas.

  • Mathematician Grace Hopper completes A-0, a program that allows the user to use words instead of numbers to give the computer instructions.

    It possessed many features of a modern-day compiler and was written for the UNIVAC I computer, which is the first commercial business computer system in the United States.

  • John Backus completes Speedcode for IBM´s first large-scale computer, the IBM 701.

    Although using Speedcode demanded a significant amount of scarce memory, it greatly reduced the time required to write a program.

  • Douglas Engelbart shows a prototype of the modern computer

    The prototype has a mouse and a graphical user interface (GUI). This marks the evolution of the computer from a specialized machine for scientists and such to something that is more accessible to others.

  • Seymour Papert designs LOGO

    He designed LOGO as a computer language for children. Initially a drawing program, LOGO controlled the actions of a mechanical "turtle," which traced its path with pen on paper.

  • The RS-232-C standard is adopted by the Electronic Industries Association.

    RS-232-C compatible ports were widely used for equipment like printers and modems. Serial connections have been largely replaced by USB ports on new PCs and peripheral equipment.

  • Intel unveils the Intel 1103

    It is the first Dynamic Access Memory (DRAM) chip.

  • Programming laguage named Pascal is created.

    Pascal was to develop as a programming language applicable to both commercial and scientific applications. It was also meant to be used to teach programming techniques to college students.

  • Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak start Apple Computers

    They do it on April Fool’s Day and roll out the Apple I, the first computer with a single-circuit board.

  • In 1978, the C programming language was created by Dennis Ritchie.

    His team created C based on the earlier language BCPL and soon after re-wrote the source code for Unix in C. Unix was easily ported to other computers and spread swiftly. C is still widely used today.

  • Microsoft announces Windows

    It was a response to Apple’s GUI. Commodore unveiled the Amiga 1000, which featured advanced audio and video capabilities.

  • The Pentium microprocessor is created.

    It advances the use of graphics and music on PCs.

  • Sergey Brin and Larry Page develop the Google search engine

    They developed it at Stanford University.

  • Microsoft launches Windows 7

    It offered the ability to pin applications to the taskbar and it had advances in touch and handwriting recognition, among other features.