History of Computer Programming

Computer programming has evolved in many ways throughout the years. The first programmer was thought to be Ada Lovelace, who lived in the 1800’s. When translating an article about the Analytical Engine from Italian to French, adding her own notes, she was referred to as the first programmer for what she wrote in the article. Computer programming started many years ago, around the 1800’s, and is only growing today. “She has been referred to as prophet of the computer age.” (Computer History Museum, 2008). What is computer programming, how does it work for gaming, and how can a programming language be used?
History
In previous years, the first computers were mechanical, not electronic. One of the first computers ever made was the Difference Engine, designed by Charles Babbage. (Babbage, C, n.d.). The Difference Engine was able to calculate polynomials using the differences method. After the Difference Engine, Babbage began his work on an improved calculating engine, the Analytical Engine. The Analytical Engine used punch cards to operate, just like the Jacquard Loom. The Jacquard Loom used punch cards to control weaving that created interesting patterns in textiles. The punch cards were used in the Analytical Engine to define the input and the calculations to carry-out. The Analytical Engine had two major parts. The first part was the mill, which is similar to a modern day computer processing unit, or a CPU. The CPU is the brain of a modern day computer; it is what carries out modern day instructions inside a computer. The mill would execute what it received from the store. The second part was the store, which was the memory of the computer. “It was the world’s first general-purpose computer.” (Babbage, C, n.d.)....

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...rogramming languages, like python, can be used.

Works Cited

Babbage, C. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2013 from http://www.charlesbabbage.net/
Computer History Museum. (2006). Retrieved December 9, 2013 from http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline/?category=cmptr Phil, A. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2013 from http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/jacquard.htm
Sanner, M.F. (1999). Python: a programming language for software integration and development. J Mol Graph Model, 17(1), 57-61.
Van Rossum, G. (1999). Computer programming for everybody. Proposal to the corporation for national research initiatives.
Van Rossum, G. (n.d.). Guido van Rossum, a brief bio. Retrieved November 15, 2013 from www.python.org/~guido/bio.html
Zilgen, D. (n.d.). Retrieved December 9, 2013 from http://www.apl.jhu.edu/~hall/java/beginner/programming.html