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A History of Computer Programming Languages

cs.brown.edu · 2,415 words · saved by 1 readers

Ever since the invention of Charles Babbage’s difference engine in 1822, computers have required a means of instructing them to perform a specific task. This means is known as a programming language. Computer languages were first composed of a series of steps to wire a particular program; these morphed into a series of steps keyed into the computer and then executed; later these languages acquired advanced features such as logical branching and object orientation. The computer languages of the last fifty years have come in two stages, the first major languages and the second major languages, which are in use today.

A History of Computer Programming Languages This history was written in the spring of 2000 when I was in eighth grade . For several years after I wrote it, the text was available online and it became a reference for other articles, Wikipedia entries, and even college courses. I have placed the report here for posterity and amusement (how could I have possibly left out Python??). In 2004, I made two updates in response to e-mailed criticisms, but the text is otherwise unchanged. For a more up-to-date reference, I shamelessly point you to Wikipedia . - Andrew Ferguson A History of Computer Progr

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