My first compiler, the A-O series was made to translate symbolic mathematical code into machine code. It also allowed the specification of call numbers assigned to the collection programing routines stored on magnetic tape. This allowed programers to specify the call numbers of the desired routines and the computer would find them all on tape and do the calculations for you. After that, I thought why not make a language that could be understood by anyone, and not only programmers and mathematicians?
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| Inside UNIVAC |
I’ve been working on developing the B-O compiler for a while now. It should be able to translate a computer language that can be used for traditional business activities like automatic billing. My staff and I were able to use B-O to make the UNIVAC I and II understand twenty statements in English, but despite this accomplishment we were told very quickly that this wouldn't be possible because computers didn't understand English. I really don’t understand the thinking behind that conclusion, we've even demonstrated that it was feasible on the UNIVAC.
Anyway, the Harvard Mark I is officially the world's most easily programmable large computer. It can switch tasks simply by getting new instructions on punch paper, rather than having to reconfigure its hardware or cables. But even as impressive as this computer has become, it seems like before we can get the word out about her, she's become a dead duck, and now everyone is going electronic. I guess her electromechanical relays just aren't fast enough anymore.
In other news, we've been keeping the Mark II in a room with no screens on the windows. As we were inspecting the machine, because it mysteriously quit working, we found a moth, with a wingspan of four inches that was smashed in one of the computers electromechanical relays. Of course, we had a good laugh over that, then pasted it into the log book and there we have our first actually case of a bug being found. because of this incident, we now refer to removing glitches as ‘debugging the machine’.🐛
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| First actual case of bug being found |
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