Saturday, August 11, 2007
Grace Hopper
If you're involved in computer programming in any way you should, and hopefully probably do, know of Grace Hopper. I found out about Grace Hopper for a segment on 60 Minutes.
The one thing that really stuck with me from that segment was her explanation of the difference between a microsecond and a nanosecond. But her contributions to computing go far beyond that.
Hopper developed COBOL which for many years was the most commonly used computer programming language. She also developed the compiler which allowed computer programs to be written in English "like" language.
Hopper demonstrated unusual modesty in her achievements. Regarding creating the compiler she said "She did this, she said, because she was "lazy" and hoped that "the programmer may return to being a mathematician." " She claimed she developed COBOL "because I couldn't balance my checkbook."
My favorite Grace Hopper quote: "The most damaging phrase in the language is: We've always done it this way." Maybe this is because when I bring up that something is inefficient, works poorly, etc. at work the most common response I get is "We've always done it this way." The resistance to change and the momentum to do it the way we've always done it is tremendous.
Grace Hopper's example of the difference between a microsecond and a nanosecond? She has a length of wire looped around her neck and shoulders. The wire was 987.36 feet long. That is how far light travels in a microsecond. Hopper also held a piece of wire about 11.8 inches long in her hand. That was how far light traveled in a nanosecond. Often computing speed makes a difference. When speed of computing makes a difference, keep this in mind.
Oh, Grace Hopper was also an admiral in the U.S. Navy, one few female admirals ever and one of the oldest. (She may have been the oldest but I haven't been able to verify that.) At the time of her retirement, she was the oldest officer in the U.S. Navy. "At the moment of her retirement, she was the oldest officer in the U.S. Navy and aboard the oldest ship in the U.S. Navy." Her retirement ceremony was held aboard the USS Constitution.
Hat tip to Auto Report World Editors for leaving a comment mentioning Grace Hopper at DrHelen that reminded me about Grace Hopper.
The one thing that really stuck with me from that segment was her explanation of the difference between a microsecond and a nanosecond. But her contributions to computing go far beyond that.
Hopper developed COBOL which for many years was the most commonly used computer programming language. She also developed the compiler which allowed computer programs to be written in English "like" language.
Hopper demonstrated unusual modesty in her achievements. Regarding creating the compiler she said "She did this, she said, because she was "lazy" and hoped that "the programmer may return to being a mathematician." " She claimed she developed COBOL "because I couldn't balance my checkbook."
My favorite Grace Hopper quote: "The most damaging phrase in the language is: We've always done it this way." Maybe this is because when I bring up that something is inefficient, works poorly, etc. at work the most common response I get is "We've always done it this way." The resistance to change and the momentum to do it the way we've always done it is tremendous.
Grace Hopper's example of the difference between a microsecond and a nanosecond? She has a length of wire looped around her neck and shoulders. The wire was 987.36 feet long. That is how far light travels in a microsecond. Hopper also held a piece of wire about 11.8 inches long in her hand. That was how far light traveled in a nanosecond. Often computing speed makes a difference. When speed of computing makes a difference, keep this in mind.
Oh, Grace Hopper was also an admiral in the U.S. Navy, one few female admirals ever and one of the oldest. (She may have been the oldest but I haven't been able to verify that.) At the time of her retirement, she was the oldest officer in the U.S. Navy. "At the moment of her retirement, she was the oldest officer in the U.S. Navy and aboard the oldest ship in the U.S. Navy." Her retirement ceremony was held aboard the USS Constitution.
Hat tip to Auto Report World Editors for leaving a comment mentioning Grace Hopper at DrHelen that reminded me about Grace Hopper.
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