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RIP Niklaus Wirth (1934 - 2024) I am deeply saddened to share the news of Professor Niklaus Wirth, a computer science pioneer and my mentor, passing away on January 1st at 89. As a student at ETH Zurich, I witnessed firsthand the development of the first Pascal compiler, a groundbreaking work by Professor Wirth that later influenced Turbo Pascal. His first approach, a single-pass recursive descent compiler, was innovative, set a new direction in programming, and was the basis for the Turbo Pascal compiler. Over the years, our relationship evolved from teacher-student to close colleagues. His visits to Stanford and Berkeley were highlights for me, as we spent hours discussing various topics, ranging from the future of programming languages to software engineering. A few months ago, we connected via a Zoom meeting organized by our friends at ETH. Despite the virtual setting, Professor Wirth’s insights at 88 were as sharp and enlightening as ever. We delved into the future of programming, AI, and Large Language Models (LLMs), Professor Wirth's wisdom and foresight left a lasting impression on me. His passing is a significant loss to the world of computer science. Professor Wirth was not just an extraordinary academic and innovator; he was a mentor and a friend whose guidance and wisdom shaped my career and thinking. His contributions to the field and his inspiring presence will be profoundly missed. Rest in peace, Professor Niklaus Wirth. Your legacy will continue to inspire generations of computer scientists and engineers. Wikipedia: https://lnkd.in/gHnrijwf #ALGOL #Pascal #Modula #Oberon #Wirth #Objectoriented #ETH #stanforduniversity #berkeley

The Man Who Revolutionized Computer Science Meet one of my heroes - Leslie Lamport, a computer science innovator whose journey began in a time when the field was still finding its footing. Lamport saw programming as more than just typing; it was about solving problems with ideas, not just code. He believed in teaching programming through math. His interest in distributed systems came by chance, sparked by a paper on databases. Drawing on ideas from physics, he changed how people thought about distributed computing, introducing new concepts like causality. Lamport's Bakery Algorithm is a standout achievement, solving a tricky problem elegantly. He didn't just solve problems; he found beauty in unexpected solutions. Despite his success, Lamport stays humble, crediting luck and a willingness to explore new ideas. His legacy shows the power of math in shaping computer science. Let's draw inspiration from his passion and creativity. #IT #math

On September 9, 1947, an extraordinary event occurred in the realm of computer science: the birth of the term "bug" in computing. This term was popularized when computer scientist Grace Hopper and her team at Harvard University encountered a literal moth causing issues in the Harvard Mark II computer. This incident was emblematic of the challenges early computer scientists faced, and it contributed to the vernacular of computer programming as we know it today. The incident unfolded when the Mark II was malfunctioning, and upon investigation, Hopper and her colleagues discovered a moth trapped in one of the relays. They carefully removed it and taped it into the logbook, annotating it as the "first actual case of bug being found". This humorous yet pivotal moment highlights not only the tangible challenges present in pioneering computing technologies but also showcases the light-hearted spirit the scientific community sometimes embraces in the face of obstacles. The legacy of this quirky bug story transcends simple anecdotal history. It has evolved into a fundamental concept in computer programming, symbolizing any sort of error or defect in a computer system or software. The lexicon of programming now includes terms such as "debugging"—the process of identifying and removing these bugs to ensure systems operate smoothly. Furthermore, Grace Hopper herself was a trailblazer in computer science. Not only did she contribute significantly to the development of COBOL, one of the first high-level programming languages, but she also advocated for the democratization of programming by making it accessible and comprehensible to a broader audience. Her work has inspired generations, not only in the field of computing but also as an example of breaking through gender barriers in a predominantly male-dominated space. As we reflect on this notable anniversary, it serves as an important reminder of the creativity, persistence, and ingenuity that underlie scientific innovation. The simple act of noting a mechanical failure led to the birth of a term and concept that remains integral to the field today. It emphasizes the necessity of an inquisitive mind in scientific exploration and the ability to find both humor and learning opportunities in unforeseen circumstances. Let’s celebrate this fascinating scientific occurrence from our past, recognizing how moments of curiosity and investigation have laid the groundwork for the technological advances we enjoy today. Each bug encountered can lead not just to solutions, but to new ideas and innovations in the ever-evolving landscape of computer science. #GraceHopper #ComputerScience #Debugging #Innovation #TechHistory #STEM #WomenInTech #Computing #ScientificDiscovery

(Another post where I share papers for those wanted to improve their knowledge of systems/database design)   Over the past few days, I have been reviewing an introduction to algorithms course that MIT put online for free. Overall, it's a great way to learn about the core skills you need to improve your computer science chops. I spent a lot of time in my undergraduate degree studying algorithms and I've enjoyed seeing which parts of this class aligned or did not with what I studied (in short, it is a bit deeper on graph algorithms than I recall in my coursework, and the dynamic programming stuff is also interesting.) https://lnkd.in/gAvUXVTE Another area that has been problematic for me is the cost to get a college education has grown faster than the rate of core inflation in the United States for decades. Part of this relates to declining state support for education generally, but that doesn't explain it all. While CS degrees can pay enough to pay for a degree over time, not all professions are as well compensated financially (on average), making it challenging to pay for student debts. So, I was very happy to see that there is now a free book called "Algorithms" by Jeff Erickson from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. This is a great way to help teach yourself intermediate algorithms as well. https://lnkd.in/gmwQTxZE Finally, I'll share another resource that comes from my alma mater the University of Texas at Austin. I had the luck to get into a class with Edsger Dijkstra when I was an undergraduate and got to take his class on algorithms. We quickly learned that he spoke 6 languages, including English, far better than we did - he was very precise with words and would apologize for not making something "shorter" because he hadn't spent the time to make it as short as possible yet. Dijkstra was passionate about algorithms (and has a graph search algorithm named after him since he invented it). You can read his archives here ( https://lnkd.in/gb35rFjZ ). I spent a lot of time proving properties of checkerboards, but the experience has left me with open eyes when attacking new problem spaces. #microsoft #sql #fabric #architecture #algorithms #compsci

Many people don't have a CS degree, so they learn on their own. Here's how you can create your own free CS degree online: 7) Computer Science 101 from Stanford: https://lnkd.in/e7u68X_Z 6) Data Structures and Algorithms from UC San Diego: https://lnkd.in/eWWJTwzq 5) Distributed Systems from MIT: https://lnkd.in/eF4P9B4V 4) Introduction to the Theory of Computation: https://lnkd.in/e9jFwPRR 3) Computer Architecture from Princeton University: https://lnkd.in/ek5z2y36 2) Introduction to Databases from Stanford: https://lnkd.in/emNptfmm 1) Systematic Debugging: https://lnkd.in/etJ3CZuh What would you add to this list? PS - Join 64,001+ people learning system design: https://lnkd.in/dHdjv_xu --- If you liked this post. 🔔 Follow: Neo Kim ♻ Repost to help others find it. 💾 Save this post for future reference. #coding #programming #softwaredevelopment #systemdesign

Hi, ladies! For March 8th, I've curated eight brief stories about remarkable women who played important roles in shaping modern IT: 🌸 Ada Lovelace was recognized as the world's first programmer. She crafted an algorithm that machines could process. 🌹 Grace Hopper innovated FLOW-MATIC, the inaugural computer program utilising words instead of numbers. 🌻Lois Haibt pioneered FORTRAN, the premier successful high-level programming language. 🌺 Sister Mary Keller tried to make computer science knowledge popular among women. 🌼 Shafi Goldwasser co-invented probabilistic encryption, establishing a gold standard for data security. 🌷 Radia Perlman authored the IS-IS routing protocol, widely adopted by modern Internet providers. 🌸 Kathleen Booth penned the pioneering programming textbooks. Karen Spark conceptualised the search engine. When you confront the misconception that women have no place in IT, remind these sceptics that without these brilliant women, IT might not exist. Happy March 8th, ladies. 💐  

Transcendence Series: Donald Knuth - Mathematician, Computer Scientist, and Writer. Donald Knuth, born in 1938, IS an American computer scientist and mathematician. He is a professor emeritus at Stanford University and is often called the "father of the analysis of algorithms". Knuth’s most significant contribution to the field is his multi-volume work "The Art of Computer Programming". This comprehensive series is considered one of the best scientific writings of the 20th century and continues to be a definitive reference for programmers and computer scientists worldwide. Knuth also developed the TeX computer typesetting system, which is widely used in the mathematics and science fields. His creation of the WEB and CWEB computer programming systems encouraged and facilitated literate programming. In addition to his contributions to computer science, Knuth has been recognized with numerous awards, including the ACM Turing Award in 19741. Knuth’s work has had a profound impact on how we understand and analyze algorithms today. His legacy continues to inspire countless software engineers and computer scientists worldwide. Note: This is the fourth post of many. The goal is to highlight significant figures who have made an impact on technology and its application to human endeavors. (Image belongs to AZ Quotes).

👏🏻 I'm thrilled to share a significant accomplishment - I've successfully wrapped up the captivating 'Algorithms on Strings' course offered by the University of California San Diego! Throughout this journey, I've delved deep into the fascinating world of string algorithms, exploring concepts like pattern matching, text compression, and so much more. Each module was not just about coding; it was a puzzle-solving adventure, unraveling the secrets behind efficient string manipulation techniques. 🎉 Completing this course has not only bolstered my technical skills but has also instilled in me a newfound appreciation for the power of algorithms in shaping our digital landscape. I'm excited to leverage this knowledge in my future endeavors and contribute meaningfully to the ever-evolving field of computer science. 🚀📚 #UCSanDiego #Algorithms #StringAlgorithms #ContinuousLearning #TechEducation

🎓 Exciting News! 🎓 I'm thrilled to announce that I've successfully completed the Mathematics for Software Engineering course! 🌟 Throughout this enriching journey, I delved into fundamental mathematical concepts that play a pivotal role in the world of software engineering. Here are some highlights: 1. Encryption and Cryptography: I gained insights into secure communication protocols, understanding how data can be protected using encryption techniques. 🛡️ 2. Steganography: The art of hiding information within other data—fascinating and essential for safeguarding sensitive content. 🕵️♂️ 3. Number Bases and Operations: From binary to hexadecimal, I explored different number systems and their applications. These concepts are the backbone of low-level programming and data representation. 🔢 4. Graph Theory: Graphs are everywhere! Whether optimizing network paths or modeling relationships, graph theory is a powerful tool in software development. 📊 5. Statistics: I learned how to analyze data, draw meaningful conclusions, and make informed decisions. Statistics empower us to create robust algorithms and validate our software solutions. 📈 But wait, there's more! 🚀 In this course, we also delved into the fascinating world of RSA encryption. Here's a glimpse of what I discovered: - RSA Algorithm: Named after its inventors, Rivest, Shamir, and Adleman, RSA is a widely used asymmetric encryption algorithm. It relies on the mathematical properties of large prime numbers. - Modular Arithmetic: At the heart of RSA lies modular arithmetic. We explored congruences, modular inverses, and the concept of the modulus. These concepts are crucial for understanding RSA's workings. - Key Generation: I learned how to generate public and private keys—the foundation of RSA encryption. The public key is used for encryption, while the private key allows decryption. - Encryption and Decryption: With RSA, we encrypt data using the recipient's public key. Only the recipient, possessing the corresponding private key, can decrypt the ciphertext. So, as I embark on my software engineering journey, armed with this mathematical arsenal and the power of RSA, I'm excited to apply these principles to real-world challenges. 🌐 Feel free to connect with me—I'd love to discuss all things tech, math, and software engineering! Let's keep learning and growing together. 🚀 #SoftwareEngineering #Mathematics #LifelongLearner

🎉Thrilled to share my ongoing journey with CS50x - Introduction to Computer Science , Harvard University's immersive introduence and programming! Led by the brilliant David J. Malan, this course caters to both majors and non-majors, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of prior experience. From mastering array manipulation, memory management, and algorithmic thinking in C to exploring data structures, Python programming, AI, SQL, and web development essentials like HTML, JavaScript, and CSS, each week brings new challenges and learning opportunities. Later, we'll delve into Flask for web application development and cybersecurity. I'm immersing myself in every aspect of computer science. Let's dive into this incredible learning adventure together! 💻 #CS50x #HarvardUniversity #ComputerScience #Programming #OnlineLearning #TechJourney #AI #Cybersecurity #DataStructures #Algorithm #Python #HTML #JavaScript #c #css #SQL Course link: Introduction to Computer Science -https://lnkd.in/gSR8KdsD