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Sheril Kirshenbaum Feb 20, 2024

Born in 1906, computer scientist Grace Hopper invented the first compiler for computer programming language & was among the first programmers of the Harvard Mk1 computer.

Hopper popularized the idea of machine-independent programming languages & paved the way to develop COBOL (an early high-level programming language). She originated the term "bug" to describe computer glitches & became a celebrated Rear Admiral in the US Navy. https://news.yale.edu/2017/02/10/grace-murray-hopper-1906-1992-legacy-innovation-and-service #science #history

Grace Murray Hopper (1906-1992): A legacy of innovation and service

On Feb. 11, President Peter Salovey announced that he and the Yale Corporation had voted to change the name of Calhoun College, one of the university's undergraduate residential colleges, to honor alumna Grace Murray Hopper. Grace Brewster Murray Hopper was a computer pioneer and naval officer.

YaleNews

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Baad C0de Feb 20, 2024

@Sheril She was not the first person to write a compiler. That would be Alick Glennie, who wrote the Autocode compiler just before Grace did.

However, Grace did publish about compiler before Alick. Alick was first to implement one.

She did, however, coin the term bug and help develop COBOL. An amazing person.

Baad C0de Feb 20, 2024

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Robert Thau

@baadc0de @Sheril Well... the term "bug" for a glitch in wiring goes at least back to Edison (who may have coined it; his usage is well attested from the early 1870s). The phrasing "first *actual* bug" in the Harvard lab logbook is itself a testimonial to earlier usage. https://spectrum.ieee.org/did-you-know-edison-coined-the-term-bug

Did You Know? Edison Coined the Term “Bug”

Bugs have plagued technologists for centuries

IEEE Spectrum