Invention Of Computer Programming Language | The Dr. Binocs Show | Best Learning Video for Kids

Summary

This video introduces Grace Hopper, the pioneering computer scientist who revolutionized programming by creating the first English-based computer language. Through a series of childhood discoveries and her work with the Mark I computer, Grace developed the A-Z compiler and later helped create the programming language COBOL, which is still used in over 80% of business transactions today. She also coined the terms 'bug' and 'debug' after finding a moth inside a computer. Grace's groundbreaking contributions made computers more accessible, paving the way for modern computing and programming languages.

Takeaways

• 😀 Computers follow instructions written in a programming language that allows humans to communicate with them.
• 😀 In the past, programming involved writing lengthy binary code, a process that was time-consuming and frustrating.
• 😀 Grace Hopper, an American computer scientist and Navy officer, revolutionized programming by creating a language computers could understand.
• 😀 Grace Hopper's childhood curiosity led her to dismantle alarm clocks, showcasing her early interest in how things work.
• 😀 She discovered that computers were similar to libraries, storing information in specific locations, much like books on a shelf.
• 😀 Grace Hopper's invention allowed computers to understand human language (English) instead of relying on binary code.
• 😀 Despite initial skepticism, Grace's invention, the 'A-Z compiler,' gained acceptance and proved its worth in 1952.
• 😀 Grace Hopper played a crucial role in developing the programming language COBOL, which became a widely used language in business and finance.
• 😀 COBOL was praised for being user-friendly and efficient, capable of handling complex calculations quickly.
• 😀 More than 80% of business transactions today still rely on COBOL, showing its lasting impact on the world of computing.
• 😀 Grace Hopper coined the terms 'bug' and 'debug' after discovering a moth inside her computer, making her the first to document an actual computer bug.

Q & A

Who is Grace Hopper and what is her significance in computer science?

Grace Hopper was an American computer scientist and United States Navy officer who made groundbreaking contributions to computer programming, including the development of the first compiler and the creation of COBOL, a programming language still in use today.

What challenge did computer programmers face in the early days, and how did Grace Hopper help solve it?

In the early days, programmers had to write instructions using binary code, a combination of 0s and 1s, which was time-consuming and difficult to understand. Grace Hopper developed a way to write programs in English-like language, making it easier for computers to understand and for humans to interact with them.

What was the first major invention by Grace Hopper in the field of computer programming?

Grace Hopper's first major invention was the 'A-Z Compiler,' which translated English-like instructions into machine code, allowing computers to understand human-written programs without the need for binary code.

How did Grace Hopper compare computers to libraries?

Grace Hopper likened computers to libraries, explaining that just like books are stored in specific locations on library shelves, information in a computer is stored in specific locations and can be accessed using 'call numbers.' This analogy helped her conceptualize how computers could be made to understand human language.

Why was Grace Hopper's invention initially not believed by others?

Her invention was not believed by many because it was difficult to imagine that a computer could understand English, and most people were skeptical of the practicality of using a human-readable language to interact with machines.

How did Grace Hopper prove the worth of her invention?

In 1952, Grace Hopper was given the chance to prove her invention by presenting the first-ever computer program using her compiler, which was successful and demonstrated that computers could indeed understand English-like instructions.

What is COBOL, and why is it important?

COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) is a user-friendly programming language that Grace Hopper helped develop. It was designed to be fast and efficient, and it played a major role in business computing, being widely used for business transactions even today.

What is the significance of the term 'bug' in computing, and how did Grace Hopper contribute to it?

Grace Hopper is credited with popularizing the term 'bug' in computing. This term originated when a moth was found inside a computer, causing a malfunction. Hopper taped the moth into her logbook, calling it the 'first actual bug' found.

What does the phrase 'debug' mean in computer science, and how did it come about?

The term 'debug' refers to the process of removing errors (bugs) from a computer program. It was coined by Grace Hopper after the incident with the moth, where she physically removed the 'bug' from the machine to resolve the issue.

Why is Grace Hopper considered the 'mother of COBOL'?

Grace Hopper is known as the 'mother of COBOL' because she led the team that invented the language. COBOL became widely used in business and administrative systems, cementing her legacy in the field of computer programming.