fortran-language

The chapter recounts early experiences with scarce and expensive computers, highlighting the inefficiencies in access and the subsequent development of time-sharing systems to improve usability. It also describes the introduction of the FORTRAN programming language, which made computer programming more accessible to humans, and the acquisition of Dartmouth's first computer, the LGP-30, which provided students with hands-on experience. The author reflects on the dramatic advancements in computing power, memory, and cost efficiency over twenty-five years, emphasizing the exponential growth in capabilities and the reduction in computational costs.

The chapter discusses the architecture and advantages of time-sharing computer systems, emphasizing how bulk memory is used to store user programs and library programs for repeated or standard tasks. It also highlights the importance of communication between humans and computers through programming languages like FORTRAN, which bridge the gap between machine language and human users, enabling easier programming and interaction.