HlaMin

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  • Programming Language

    In Computer Science and applications, a Programming Language is a language used to program (e.g. instruct) computers.

    Machine Language

    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 and Logic Unit inside the computer.

    On the ICL 1902S computer, we often have to use the 24 keys to enter short pieces of Machine Code. That is history.

    Assembly Language

    To bridge the human users and the computers, the next step was to use Assembly Languages such as

    • Simple/Symbolic Assembly Language
    • Macro Assembly Language.

    A Macro Processor translates Macros (a well-defined group of Assembly Language instructions).

    An Assembler translates a program in Assembly Language into Machine Language instructions.

    History of Programming Languages

    The development of the first 11 (or so) programming languages can be found in the first HOPL (History of Programming Languages) Conference.

    Currently, there are thousands of programming languages (some for academic purposes) and a limited number used for production.

    Evolution of 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 & Middle out techniques
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI) programming

    Theoretical model

    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.

    The machine was proposed by Alan M. Turing (who has an ACM award named after him that is considered the “Nobel Prize in Computing“).

    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.”

  • Prize / Award

    Nobel Prize

    Alfred Nobel was a Swedish scientist.

    Per Alfred Nobel’s will, the prizes are awarded for

    • Physics
    • Chemistry
    • Physiology or Medicine
    • Literature
    • Peace

    In 1968, a Prize for Economics was added by the Swedish Central Bank. It is informally known as “Nobel Prize in Economics”.

    There are web sites and books about the Prizes and their recipients in general, and some controversies about the Nobel Prize selection.

    The ACM Turing Award is considered as “Nobel Prize in Computing”.

    The Field Medal is considered as “Nobel Prize in Mathematics.”

    ACM Turing Award

    • The ACM Turing Award is considered as “Nobel Prize in Computing”.
    • The award is given in honor of Alan M Turing, a Computer Pioneer.
    • The award is presented by the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM).
    • The prize money is currently US $ 1 Million.

    Field’s Medal

    The Field Medals is considered as the Nobel Prize in Mathematics.

    Awards in UK

    • Victoria Cross
    • George Cross
    • MBE (Member of the British Empire)
    • OBE (Officer of the British Empire)

    Rangoon University Medals

    • Top student in Intermediate of Science
    • Highest marks in Mathematics in Intermediate of Science
    • Top student in Intermediate of Arts
    • Top student in Intermediate of Commerce
    • Top student in in Bachelor of Science
    • Top student in Bachelor of Arts
    • Top student in Bachelor of Commerce
      various options : Accounting, Management
    • Top student in in B.Sc. (Engg)
      various disciplines: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical …
    • Top student in MBBS
    • Top student in Law
    • Top student in Honors
      various disciplines : Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry …
    • Top student in Masters
      various disciplines : Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry …

  • Pay Scale

    Terms

    • SS — Starting Salary
    • AI — Annual Increment
    • MS — Maximum Salary (aka Bar Sone)
    • CLA — Cost of Living Allowance

    Tutor (for non-Science Departments)

    • Pay scale : 200 – 10 – 300
    • With CLA, starting pay is 200 + 97 = 297 kyats
    • Lecturing Tutor gets an additional 100 kyats
    • Ad hoc Tutor gets 100 kyats

    Demonstrator (for Science Departments)

    • Same pay scale as Tutor

    Assistant Lecturer (AL)

    • Pay scale : 350 – 25 – 700
    • With CLA, starting pay is 350 + 89 = 439 kyats
    • Is a Gazetted Officer

    Lecturer

    • Old pay scale : 800 – 50 – 1200
    • No CLA, but has access to staff shop
    • Can spend 10% of salary at the staff shop

    Professor

    • Pay scale : 1300
    • No CLA, but has access to “staff shop”
    • May be eligible for a house in the Campus

    Rector

    • Pay scale : 1500

    Gazetted Officer

    • Assistant Lecturers and above are Gazetted Officers.
    • Details (promotions, transfers, vacation) are recorded in the Gazette.

    Changes

    CLA was abolished.

    New positions and scales were introduced.

    • A hybrid system (Professor, Associate Professor and Lecturer) was adopted instead of the more common system (Professor, Associate Professor and Assistant Professor)
    • Engineering Instructor: 450 – 25 – 700 [“new” position]
    • Assistant Lecturer: 450 – 25 – 700 [“new” scale]
    • Lecturer: 800 – 40 – 1000 [“new” scale]
    • Associate Professor: 1000 – 50 – 1200 [“new” position]

    Miscellaneous

    Gazetted officer : 450 scale & above

    The pay raises could not keep up with the rising cost of living.

    Promotions take considerably longer.

    • In the early days, engineering graduates joined the Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturers.
      In the later days, engineering graduates have to serve as Instructors before they become Assistant Lecturers.
    • In the early days, a Lecturer can get promoted to Professorship. In the later days, a Lecturer gets promoted to Associate Professor.

    The Public Services Commission (PSC) took charge of the appointments of government employees.

    Observation

    In the old days, a University is a collection of Colleges. Most departments have a Professor, who also served as Head of the Department. Some departments were headed by Lecturers and even Assistant Lecturers.

    There are now some Universities in Myanmar that do not have multiple Colleges. Some departments have several Professors.

    There are some private Universities.

  • Paritta

    • Paritta is usually rendered as “Protective Verse”.

    Early Texts

    • Hanthawaddy and Thudhammawaddy published early Paritta texts edited by Pali experts (e.g. Saya Phyay, U Pan Maung).

    Versions

    • The Ministry of Religious Affairs published the standard version of 11 Pairtta Suttas, and the comprehensive version of 30+ Suttas (including the 11 Paritta Suttas).
    • The Suttas were approved/re-affirmed at the Sixth Buddhist Council.

    Pali and Translation

    • Paritta texts with Pali and English translation were compiled and /or edited by Sayadaw U Silananda and Sao Htun Hmat Win.
      
    • Paritta texts with Pali and Burmese/Myanmar translation were compiled/edited by Sayadaw U Ayethaka, Dhammacariya U Soe Win, and Dhammacariya U Kyaw Lin.

    Comprehensive Treatment

    • Comprehensive treatment of Paritta had been done by Thabyekan Sayadaw, and Sayadaw U Jotilankara.

    Mon Version

    • Used to own a copy of a Pariita (Burmese and Mon version) given by the Dat Paung Zone Aung Min Gaung Sayadaw U Thilawunta.
    • Based on the Mon manuscripts. One difference is in the “last” Sutta.
      The Mon version has two major sections:
      one for chanting in the morning and
      one for chanting in the evening/night.

    Schedule for Recitation

    • Customary for the Burmese Buddhist monks to recite all the 11 Suttas daily.
    • A recommendation for the lay people is to break up the 11 Suttas into seven groups, and chant a group per day.
    • The 11 Suttas will then be covered every week.

    Audio

    • The Paritta verses by the various Sayadaws
      Mingun Tipitaka Sayadaw,
      Taung Tan Thatanapyu Sayadaw,
      U Silananda,
      Kyar Ni Kan Sayadaw,
      Aung San Tat Oo Sayadaw,
      Las Vegas Sayadaw U Zeya)
      are available as CDs.
    • Some (if not all) can be found at dhamma web sites such as dhammadownload.com and nibanna.com.
      
    • YouTube has a collection of Paritta recited by Myanmar, Sri Lankan, and Thai monks.

    Forms of Pali

    • Pali is rendered in Romanized form (for international use) and in native versions (Myanmar, Sinhali, Thai, …).
    • Example:
      Lay people and most monks in Myanmar will say “Git sar mi”.
      Lay people and most (if not all) monks from Sri Lanka and Thai will say “gacchami”.
    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is paritta-pali.jpg

  • U Han Sein & U Aung Gyi Shwe

    U Han Sein

    • Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Basketball
    • Prisoner of Conscience
    • Volunteer Photographer for 69er gatherings

    U Aung Gyi Shwe

    • Secretary, RIT Track & Field
    • T&F, Weight lifting, Soccer

  • Pound

    • Pound may refer to a weight or to a currency.

    Currency

    There are several currencies named “Pound“.

    The most notable is known as the “Sterling Pound“. The British manufactured the “Silver Penny” made out of pure silver. 240 Silver Pennies presumably weighed one pound. Hence, the name “Sterling Pound”.
    1 Pound = 20 shillings = 240 pennies

    At one time, the Pound was tied to the “Gold Reserve“.
    In our younger days, 1 Pound was equivalent to about 13 Kyats.

    Denominations

    • Pound
    • Shilling
    • Penny
    • Farthing
    • Half-crown
    • Crown
    • Guinea

    Metric

    Later, the British went metric.

    1 Pound = 100 Pence

  • Trailblazers

    Sayagyis

    • U Pe Maung Tin
      First native Principal of Rangoon College
      Proposed to have a separate Burmese Department
      First Professor of Burmese Department, Rangoon University
    • Dr. Htin Aung
      Principal of Rangoon College
      First native Rector, Rangoon University
      Retired as Vice Chancellor, Rangoon University
      Distinguished author, historian and folk lorist
    • U Ba Hli
      Principal of Government Technical Institute (GTI)
      First native Dean of Engineering, Rangoon University
      Proponent of “Twinning” with prestigious universities in USA
    • Dr. Mya Tu
      Founder/Director, Burma Medical Research Institute (BMRI)
      Co-authored “Who’s who in health and medicine in Myanmar“
    • Dr. Chit Swe
      Founder/Director of Universities’ Computer Center (UCC)
      Pioneer of Computer Systems, Applications and Education in Burma

    Khit San Sar Pay Founders

    • Theikpan Maung Wa (ICS U Sein Tin)
    • Zawgyi (U Thein Han)
    • Minthuwun (U Wun)

    There were the early students of Sayagyi U Pe Maung Tin (Pali and Burmese Scholar) at the then newly established “Burmese Department” at the Rangoon University.

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is minthuwun.jpg
    Minthuwun

    UCC Founders

    • Dr. Chit Swe (GBNF)
    • U Soe Paing
    • U Myo Min
    • U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF)

    Details can be found in my article “Paying Back to UCC” and several posts on Saya Chit, Saya Paing, Saya Myo and Saya Lay.

    Early Burmese Scholars in the UK

    • Dr. Hla Myint (Economics)
    • Dr. Tha Hla (Geology)
    • Dr. Maung Maung Kha (Meteorological Physics)
    • Dr. Po Aye (Meteorology)

    Early recipients of the Twinning Project

    • Dr. Aung Gyi (Civil, RIT Rector)
    • U Min Wun (Civil, Professor)
    • U Maung Maung Than (Textile, RIT Rector)

    Early Founders of Banks in Burma

    • U Rae Kyaw Thu
      Founded the first bank in Rakkhine
    • U Po Sa
      First Burmese to found a bank in Burma

    Early Sayadaws in the UK

    • U Thithila
    • Dr. Rewata Dhamma

    Early Sayadaws in the USA

    • U Silanandabhivamsa (Northern California)
    • Penang Sayadaw (Southern California)
    • U Kelasa (East Coast)

  • Practicing Metta

    Metta is a Pali word, which is rendered as “Loving Kindness” or “Unbounded Love“.

    There are two methods to practice Loving Kindness Meditation :

    • one described in the Metta Sutta and
    • the other known as 528-ways to send Metta.

    CD

    I received the CD as Dhamma Dana from U Myint Thein (C74, Soon Hoe), Cynthia Hoe (MBBS) and family.

    The CD contains songs about practicing Metta. The vocalists include

    • Hlwan Moe
    • Soe Sandar Tun
    • Hema Nay Win
    • Kaiser
    • U Thein Hla Maung
    • Hla Myint Win
    • May Ywet Wah
    • Ni Ni Win Shwe

  • Physics Sayas and Sayamas

    Intermediate College

    U Min Than Thoung (Maurice) and Daw Su Su taught Physics in our I. Sc (A) class in 1963.

    Saya Maurice was the top student of his Honors class in 1961. He rowed as Bow in the Golden Crew along with Victor Htun Shein (Stroke, GBNF), Sunny Teng (3), Mya Maung (Min Aung, 2) and Tun Wa (Cox). They won two Senior Novices and several Color Challenge and later became RUBC Gold. Saya did graduate studies in Germany. He retired as Rector of Universities’ Distance Learning.

    Rangoom Institute of Technology

    We joined 2nd BE in November 1964. We had to take nine subjects including Physics.

    • Daw Nyein (GBNF)
      was Lecturer and Head of Department.
      She was an early Burmese female scholar to receive MS from US.
      She lived to be 101 years young.
    • Daw May Than Nwe (Joyce, GBNF)
      was the top student of her Honors class in 1962.
      She and Saya U Thein Lwin (EE) moved to Singapore.
    • U Saw Hlaing (GBNF)
      volunteered at Thu Ka Kar Yi (Sunday Cleaning) Group at Shwe Dagon Pagoda and a Lu Nge Yay Yar Nya Kyaung.
      He studied in Japan.
      He served as Principal of Taunggyi College and as Director in DHE.
    • U Nyunt Yin
    • …
    • U Hlwan Mo
      Head of Department, GBNF)
    • Daw Khin Swe Aye (Emily)
    • U Tha Hlaing (Head of Department)
    • …

    Miscellaneous

    At St. Paul’s High School, Saya Beatson taught us Physics. He also served as Scout Master. After retirement, he became a monk. He is the lone remaining saya from our SPHS days. Harry Kyaw, Atom Hla and some more Paulians offered soon to Sayadaw during his visits to Yangon.

    Dr. Maung Maung Kha (GBNF) served as Rector of RU, RASU and U of Distance Learning. He is a good violinist. He attended RUBC Regattas to award prizes.

    U San Tha Aung (GBNF) served as DG of DHE. He co-authored Saya Kha a Physics Textbook in Burmese.

    Dr. Boon Chiong (Hla Shwe, First in Burma in 1963), Dr. Tin Maung and Dr. Tin Aung received their doctorates from US. The first two moved back to US.

    Dr. Tin Aung taught at RU until he was forced to resign in 1988. Saya was elected as Patron (in absentia) of the Sayas’ Association during the 8-8-88 movement.

    U Kin Sein was a Director at DHE.

    U Kyaw Mya Thein (GBNF) wrote Kar Ku La Thin Char (Calculus). He retired as Pro-Rector of ICST.

    Dr. Zin Aung (GBNF) won a Gold Medal as the top student in his Honors class in 1958. He received his doctorate from UK. He later taught at Assumption University.

    U Thein Aung (Micky, SPHS59, GBNF) became RUBC Gold in 1962. He later became a member of the RUBC Admin Committee (after the RU Sports Council decided to ignore the Bylaws). He studied in Japan and later worked for a Japanese company in Yangon.

  • Physics

    Yupa Beda (HSF)

    • We took “Yupa Beda” (Physics in Burmese) in the first ever HSF (High School Final) Only examination in 1962.
    • The text was authored by Saya Dr. Maung Maung Kha and Saya U San Tha Aung.
    • Chu Pu Thein (SPHS) scored the highest marks in “Yupa Beda”.
      After matriculation, he left to study in Europe probably due to the 3 NRC rule.

    Physics (Matriculation)

    • We took “Physics” (in English) in the first ever Matriculation Only examination in 1963.
    • One of the texts was by Sen and Gupta.
    • SPHS Library had reference books, e.g. Sears and Zemansky
    • Dr. Khin Maung U scored “only” 99.
      Grapevine says that the examiners reluctantly took away a point from his perfect score.
      He stood First in Burma and scored 299/300 in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics.
      He worked as a Medical Researcher and Professor.
      He retired from FDA.

    Examination Systems

    • My elder brother and his friends had to sit for the HSF and Matriculation (Combined) examination.
    • After passing the examination, they were admitted to the Intermediate College (e.g. Yankin College) of Rangoon University.
    • Unfortunately, we had to sit for separate HSF and Matriculation examinations.
    • We took the subjects for the HSF examination in Burmese (except for English).
    • We took the subjects for the Matriculation examination in English (except for Burma),
    • We lost one year in the process, but learned some “Translation”.
    • For the record, we had to take four Government examinations:
      the last 7th Standard examination in March 1960
      the first 9th Standard (HSF only) examination in March 1962 (which was nullified citing leakage of exam questions) and again in August 1962
      the Matriculation only examination in May 1963

    Top Matriculates who pursued Physics

    • Dr. Hla Shwe (Boon Chiong, Yegyaw Methodist 1953), First in Burma
    • Dr. Than Myint (Harry Wang, SPHS 1956), Joint Third in Burma
    • Dr. Htin Kyaw (Sacred Heart 1957), First in Burma
    • Dr. Htin Aung (Sacred Heart 1957), Sixth in Burma
    • Robert Sein (SPHS58), Second in Burma
    • Dr. Frankie Ohn (Hla Ngwe Tin, SPHS59), First in Burma

    Saya Kha (Dr. Maung Maung Kha)

    • He studied in UK for his Ph.D. in Meteorological Physics.
    • Worked for a while in Meteorology Department.
    • Joined Physics Department of Rangoon University.
    • He served as Professor and later as Rector of Rangoon University, RASU and Universities’ Distance Learning.
    • Accomplished violinist.
      He and Saya U Ba Kyi sang “Only Two Darling” (rendition of “Hna Yauk Hte Nay Chin Hte” in English).
    • Attended RUBC Regattas and handed over Trophies (during my tenure at RUBC as Treasurer, Vice Captain and emcee/announcer).
    • His family members and former colleagues and students (Saya U Oo Khin Maung, Sayama Daw Thida, …) celebrated Saya’s Centennial with fund raising concerts and commemorative magazine.

    U San Tha Aung

    • Received A.M (Physics) from Harvard University.
    • Served as Director of Higher Education.
    • Passed away after returning from an inspection tour.
    • Co-author of Saya Kha for Physics Texts in Burmese and English for use in High School.

    Dr. Tin Aung

    • Dr. Hla Shwe (Boon Chiong), Dr. Tin Maung and Dr. Tin Aung studied in USA for their doctorates.
      Dr. Hla Shwe and Dr. Tin Maung moved to the USA.
    • Saya Dr. Tin Aung taught the longest at RU and served as Professor.
    • He was elected as a Patron of the “Saya’s Association” during 8-8-88 movement.
      He left that day for an education mission to the USA.
      Upon his return, Saya was “asked to retire” by the higher authorities.

    Kan Soe Kan Kaung Sayas

    • In the late 60’s, several Physics sayas were selected to study in the Soviet Nation and other East Bloc nations.
      They were not in high spirits.
      They were surprised to learn that they would eventually study in UK. Grapevine says that four Burmese state scholars in GDR (German Democratic Republic, then East Germany) led protests in front of the Burmese Embassy denouncing BSPP and the government. The higher authorities were alarmed and probably concluded that it was safer to send scholars to UK.
      According to Saya U Thein Tan (Civil), he was selected to study in the USSR, but did not get visa (due to the political climate at that time). He ended up studying at the University of Birmingham in the UK.

    My Physics Teachers

    • Saya Beatson (at SPHS)
      Became Uzin after retirement
    • Mehm Than Thaung (Maurice Tun Thaung, RUBC Gold) in I.Sc.(A)
      Retired as Rector of Universities’ Distance Learning
    • Daw Khin Khin Su in I.Sc.(A)
    • Daw Nyein in 2nd BE
      Passed away at 100+ years young
    • Daw May Than Nwe (Joyce) in 2nd BE.
      Passed away in Singapore within a few months of her husband Saya U Thein Lwin (EE)

    Miscellaneous

    • U Thein Aung (Micky Tan, SPHS59, RUBC Gold)
      Recruited students and sayas (Dr. Htin Kyaw & Dr. Htin Aung [twins], …) to join RUBC.
    • U Kyaw Myint (Director, DHE)
      Fellow Guest Speaker at the Ngapali Luyechun Camp in 1988
      Has a Foundation named after him
    • U Tin Oo Hlaing and U Kaung Nyunt served as Principals of College
    • U Kyaw Mya Thein retired as Pro-Rector from ICST.
    • Daw Nyunt Nyunt Win became Registrar of RASU.
    • U Saw Hlaing, U Kin Sein, and Mehm Than Thaung transferred to the administrative positions user the Ministry of Education.
    • U Hlwan Moe and U Tha Hlaing succeeded Sayamagyi Daw Nyein as Head of RIT Physics.