In Computer Science and applications, a Programming Language is a language used to program (e.g. instruct) computers.
Evolution
In the early days, computer engineers and selected programmers have to program in Machine Language (with strings of Zeroes and Ones). They are due partly to the choice of Binary Number System as the basis of designing Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) of the computer.
On the ICL 1902S computer, we often had to use the 24 keys to enter short pieces of Machine Code. That is history.
To bridge the human users and the computers, the next step was to use Assembly Languages such as (a) Simple/Symbolic Assembly Language (b) Macro Assembly Language.
A Macro is a well-defined group of Assembly Language instructions.
An Assembler translates a program in Assembly Language into Machine Language instructions.
The development of the first 11 (or so) programming languages can be found in the inaugural conference on the History of Programming Languages (HOPL).
Currently, there are thousands of programming languages (some for academic purposes) and a limited number used for production.
Programming Style
Over the years, the style of programming evolved. The list is not exclusive.
Procedural programming (e.g. telling the computer system what to do, emphasis on the “verbs”)
Non-procedural programming (e.g. telling the computer system what one wants)
Object Oriented programming (e.g. emphasis on the “nouns”)
Functional programming (e.g. based on “functions”)
Logic programming (e.g. based on “Horn logic” and similar logic systems)
Top down step wise development
Bottom up technique
Middle out technique
AI programming
Computation
With each paradigm, there are several programming languages with known advantages and limitations.
There is a theoretical model called “Turing Machine”, which is primitive but has the computational power of modern computers.
Alan Perlis, a pioneer Computer Scientist and Programming Language Designer, defined a “Turing Tar Pit, where everything is possible (to compute), but nothing is easy.”
Saya U Myo Min was Professor & Head of the English Department at Rangoon University. He co-authored the Archway Reader series. His pen name is Nwe Soe (နွယ်စိုး). He was involved in Khit San Sar Pay.
Lecturers include Daw Thein Nyunt, Daw Tin Saw Mu and U Ohn Khin.
Sayagyi H Num Kok was an early saya of Civil Engineers.
He was a saya of our sayas. His students include Saya Dr. Aung Gyi and Saya U Min Wun (GBNF).
He has two younger brothers: H Num Futt (EE60) and Saya H Num Pon (U Myint Lwin, C61)
Highlights
After retirement, he moved to USA.
He attended SPZP-2000 and selected RIT gatherings in USA and Yangon.
He served as Line Judge at several RUBC regattas.
He was President of the RIT Athletic Association. He was assisted by U Khin Maung Lay (Henry, Secretary) and U Myo Nyunt (Joint Secretary).
U Myo Nyunt visited Sayagyi’s home in Portland, Oregon. Sayagyi proudly showed U Myo Nyunt souvenirs (including a Banner) that he had received from his former students during his visit to Myanmar.
Sayagyi was healthy and active.
He passed away peacefully in his 90s (a few years back).
HlaMin 