The First Programming Languages: Crash Course Computer Science #11

Summary

This CrashCourse episode explores the evolution of programming languages, starting from cumbersome machine code to the development of Assembly Language and Assemblers. It highlights Dr. Grace Hopper's creation of the first compiler and the advent of high-level languages like FORTRAN and COBOL, which revolutionized programming by abstracting low-level details, enabling a broader range of professionals to utilize computing. The episode also touches on the significance of 'write once, run anywhere' concept and the ongoing development of new languages to simplify programming tasks and harness emerging technologies.

Takeaways

• 🔌 The script introduces the concept of software as a 'softer' medium for programming computers, as opposed to the hardware-focused programming of the past.
• 🛠️ It explains the basic structure of machine code, including the operation code (opcode) and memory location, using an example from a hypothetical CPU.
• 📚 The script discusses the evolution from writing programs entirely in machine code to the development of higher-level languages that are more human-readable.
• 🔠 The concept of 'mnemonics' is introduced as simple names for opcodes, making it easier for programmers to write instructions without binary code.
• 🔄 The role of an 'Assembler' is described, which is a program that converts assembly language instructions into machine code.
• 🔖 The script highlights the feature of 'labels' in assembly language that help simplify the process of coding jumps and updates in a program.
• 👩‍💻 The historical development of high-level programming languages is outlined, starting with Dr. Grace Hopper's 'Arithmetic Language Version 0' (A-0) and moving to FORTRAN and COBOL.
• 🔑 The importance of 'write once, run anywhere' capability in programming languages is emphasized, allowing code to be portable across different machines.
• 📈 The script points out the economic benefits of high-level languages, such as increased programmer productivity and reduced development time.
• 🌐 The impact of high-level languages on making computing accessible to a broader range of professionals, not just computer experts, is discussed.
• 🚀 The script concludes by mentioning the ongoing evolution of programming languages, with many still in use today and new ones being developed to leverage new technologies.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script provided?

The main focus of the video script is the evolution of programming languages, from machine code to high-level languages, and their impact on making programming more accessible and efficient.

What is the significance of the first four bits in an instruction on a hypothetical CPU?

The first four bits of an instruction on a hypothetical CPU represent the operation code (OPCODE), which defines the operation to be performed, such as a LOAD_A instruction.

What is the purpose of an Assembler in programming?

An Assembler is a program that reads text-based instructions written in Assembly Language and converts them into binary machine code that the CPU can execute, simplifying the programming process.

What does the term 'write once, run anywhere' refer to in the context of programming languages?

'Write once, run anywhere' refers to the ability to write a program in a high-level language that can be compiled and run on different types of computers without needing to rewrite the code for each architecture.

Why did programmers in the early days of computing have to write entire programs in machine code?

In the early days of computing, programmers had to write entire programs in machine code because high-level languages and tools like compilers did not exist, and the hardware directly executed binary instructions.

What is the difference between machine code and Assembly Language?

Machine code is the raw binary instructions that a computer's hardware can execute directly, while Assembly Language is a more human-readable representation of those instructions using mnemonics and operands, which an Assembler then converts into machine code.

Who is credited with building the first compiler?

Dr. Grace Hopper is credited with building the first compiler in 1952, which was used to translate high-level programming language into machine code.

What is the significance of the programming language FORTRAN in the history of computing?

FORTRAN, which stands for 'Formula Translation', was significant because it was one of the first high-level programming languages that allowed programmers to write more code more quickly, making it an economically viable choice despite potential performance trade-offs.

What is the purpose of the COBOL programming language?

The purpose of COBOL, or Common Business-Oriented Language, was to provide a common programming language that could be used across different machines, making it easier to write and maintain business applications without being tied to a specific hardware architecture.

How did the development of high-level programming languages impact the field of computing?

The development of high-level programming languages reduced the barrier to entry in computing, allowing professionals from various fields to incorporate computation into their work and enabling professional programmers to create more sophisticated programs with less code.

What is the concept of 'Pseudo-Code' mentioned in the script?

Pseudo-Code is an informal, high-level description of a program written in a natural language, like English, which outlines the steps of an algorithm or process before it is translated into a formal programming language or machine code.