20 Jun
2021
20 Jun
'21
4 p.m.
Paul,
What about
Approximations for Digital Computers
Cecil Hastings Jr., Jeanne T. Wayward, and James P. Wong Jr.
Whilst its about a specific problem its not machine specific. It was
originally published as papers in 1955 and as book later, but my copy
retains its 1955 copyright.
Dave
-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Birkel <pbirkel at gmail.com>
Sent: 20 June 2021 13:40
To: dave.g4ugm at gmail.com; 'General Discussion: On-Topic Posts'
<cctech at classiccmp.org>
Subject: RE: Early Programming Books
Dave;
I'm much more curious about programming books that were *not* machine
specific.
That is, about "general principles" of designing/preparing software for
execution.
Of course, one needs a language; McCracken (1957) defines TYDAC.
Much later (1968) Knuth defines MIX.
In between perhaps one could argue that ALGOL 58 qualifies as such a
language-for-demonstration, but I don't believe that there were any books
specifically about programming in ALGOL 58. I presume that there were
eventually such books for ALGOL 60.
Then there's FORTRAN, in which context I first encountered McCracken
(1961:
Guide to FORTRAN Programming).
Obviously my first example was EDSAC-centric. And yours is specific to
the
Manchester MK1.
-----Original Message-----
From: dave.g4ugm at gmail.com [mailto:dave.g4ugm at gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, June 20, 2021 6:57 AM
To: 'Paul Birkel'; 'General Discussion: On-Topic Posts'
Subject: RE: Early Programming Books
Paul,
What about machine specific manuals, so for example the Manchester MK1
programming manual, the second edition of which is archived here:-
https://web.archive.org/web/20090526192456/http://www.computer50.org
/kgill/m
ark1/progman.html
In fact I expect that first book refers specifically to EDSAC, so is in
effect
machine specific. There must have been similar manuals
for other machines?
I know there is a Ferranti Pegasus Programming manual, the copy I have is
dated 1962 but as the last Pegasus was produced in 1959 there must have
been earlier editions.
Dave
-----Original Message-----
From: cctech <cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org> On Behalf Of Paul Birkel
via cctech
Sent: 20 June 2021 09:44
To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic Posts' <cctech at classiccmp.org>
Subject: Early Programming Books
I know of two early computer (in the stored program sense) programming
books.
1951: Preparation of Programs for an Electronic Digital Computer
(Wilkes,
Wheeler, & Gill)
1957: Digital Computer Programming
(McCracken)
What others were published prior to the McCracken text?
Excluded are lecture compendia and symposia proceedings, such as:
1946: Moore School Lectures
1947: Proceedings of a Symposium on Large-Scale Digital
Calculating
Machinery
1951: Proceedings of a Second Symposium on
Large-Scale Digital
Calculating Machinery
1953: Faster Than Thought, A Symposium On
Digital Computing
Machines
These were principally about designs for, and experience with, new
hardware.
I'm curious about texts specifically focused on the act of programming.
Were there others prior to McCracken?
paul