Grace Hopper 1906 1992 An influential force and

Grace Hopper (1906 -1992) • An influential force and a legendary figure in the development of programming languages • The first person to conceive of the use of compilers in computers (operational in 1952) – Claimed laziness as a motivation • The first commercial high-level programming language, called FLOW-MATIC – major forerunner of COBOL • Instrumental role in the development of the COBOL • Always held multiple jobs – Academia – Industry – Military Fundamentals of Software Development 1 1

Grace Hopper’s Bug • Moth found trapped Mark II Aiken Relay Calculator while it was being tested 9/9/1945 – at Relay # 70, Panel F • Hopper coined the term “bug” • The machine was "debugged" by removing the bug – this introduced the term "debugging a computer program" Fundamentals of Software Development 1 2

Her Life • Born December 9, 1906, in New York. – Oldest of 3 children • Also known as – “Amazing Grace” – “Grand Old Lady of Software. ” • Mathematics and physics major at Vassar College (1928) • MA (1930) & Ph. D (1934) Mathematics from Yale University • Taught at Vassar College • Rose to the rank of Rear Admiral (at age 82) Fundamentals of Software Development 1 3

Recognition • “Man of the Year” by the Data Processing Management Association (1969) • The Harry M Goode Memorial Award (1970) • The first woman to be elected Distinguished Fellow of the British Computer Society (1973) • At least 37 honorary degrees between 1972 and 1987 • National Medal of Technology (1991) • Also has a Navy ship named after her Fundamentals of Software Development 1 4

Sources • http: //www-groups. dcs. stand. ac. uk/~history/Mathematicians/Hopper. ht ml Fundamentals of Software Development 1 5