In the first conference on “History of Programming Languages”, thirteen languages were presented.
There are hundreds (and possibly thousands) of programming languages that have been proposed and/or implemented.
At a given time, there is a relatively small group of “preferred” programming languages.
Background
In Computer Science and applications, a Programming Language is a language used to program (e.g. instruct) computers.
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 (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.
An Assembler translates a program in Assembly Language into Machine Language instructions.
A Macro Processor translates Macros (a well-defined group of Assembly Language instructions) into Machine Language instructions.
The development of the first dozen (or so) programming languages can be found in the Proceedings of 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
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
AI programming
Within each paradigm, there are several programming languages with known advantages and limitations.
Theoretical Model
Alan Mathias Turing presented a theoretical model called “Turing Machine”, which is primitive but has the computational power of modern computers.
The ACM Turing Award (named in honor of Alan Turing) 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.”
Alan Perlis was an early recipient of the ACM Turing Award.
On June 30, 1963, the OPA (Old Paulians Association) invited the top students from the Matriculation to attend the dinner.
I stood 7th in the whole of Burma in the Matriculation examination held in May 1963.
Burmese American Professionals Society
Lifetime Member of BAPS
Volunteered as a Contributing Editor of the BAPS Newsletter.
RIT Alumni International
Founding member of RIT Alumni International.
Served as Chief Editor of the RIT Alumni International Newsletter for 22+ years.
A commemorative edition of the Newsletter was published for SPZP-2000.
Soon Kyway in 2016
In August 2016, U Maurice Chee (M75) organized a birthday soon kwyay at Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay, California.
On behalf of the Alumni, Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) presented the “Alumni Appreciation Award”.
Retirement Soon Kway of Ko Maurice Chee
Ko Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) designed the first RIT web site. He came down from Seattle to attend the Retirement Soon Kway of Ko Maurice Chee (M75).
The picture was taken at a sea food restaurant overlooking the San Francisco Bay (within sight of SFO — San Francisco International Airport).
Ko Benny Tan (M70), Ko Maurice and Ko KMZ are Core Organizers of SPZP-2000.
Toastmasters International
I am a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM)
Miscellaneous
Past Vice President of TBSA Editor, Dhammananda Newsletter Master of Ceremonies, Memorial Service for Sayadaw U Silannanda Contributing Editor, “Paying Homage to Sayadaw U Silananda”
RIT and its successors have produced many distinguished authors and/or Laureate Poets.
Tekkatho Moe War
Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War, EE 63)’s works include
Editor of RUESU (Rangoon University Engineering Students Union) Magazine
Chief Editor of “Hlyat Sit Sar Saung” (published the EE Association)
Chief Editor of RIT Annual Magazines (for a decade or so)
Chief Editor of commemorative “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung” (for SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007, and SPZP-2010)
Chief Editor of commemorative “Swel Daw Yeik Magazine” (for Shwe YaDu and SPZP-2016)
“Swel Daw Yeik Foundation News/Updates”
Articles and Poems in newspapers, journals, magazines
Author and/or Co-author of Books (Poems, Articles)
Ma Sandar
Daw Cho Cho Tin (Ma Sandar, A 71) won several National Literary Awards. She donated several of her books to SPZP-2012, the Golden Jubilee, and selected “G Hall Thus”. Her spouse, U San Maung (A 7x) served as an editor of the “GJ” issue for the combined 1st BE intake of ’64 and ’65.
U Myint Pe
U Myint Pe (“Cartoon”, “Lushwindaw Seik Kyi”, M 72) is a co-founder of the famed “RIT Cartoon Box” with Saya U Khin Maung Phone Ko (“Phone Ko”, C 64) and Saya U Aung Myint (“Kyant Ba Hone”, Pet 69). He and fellow “Cartoon Box” alums (such as Mann Be (a) Aw Pi Kye) compiled a commemorative book for SPZP-2012 and a commemorative pamphlet for GJ.
U Thiha Latt
Saya U Thiha Latt (T8x) is a Cartoon Box alum. He coordinated the publishing/printing of “Swel Daw Yeik Magazine”, “Cartoon Selections”, “History of University Engineering Education in Burma/Myanmar”, …
Other Notable Authors, Poets and Composers
N. Jar Thaing served as contributing author & editorial adviser of various RIT publications.
Maung Sein Win (Padeegone)
Saya U Taing Oke (“Yin Maung”)
Saya U Thet Lwin (composer of “Mya Kyun Nyo Nyo Kun Yeik Kho”)
In November 1964, the RIT English Department was established to teach first year and second year B.E and B. Arch
Sayama Terry (Daw Yin Yin Mya) was Assistant Lecturer and Head of the Department. She was a Beauty Queen. She migrated to Australia.
Sayama Daw Sheila Saing was Assistant Lecturer and Deputy Head of the Department. Spouse : Dr. Zin Aung (Physics) Siblings : Dr. Harry Saing (Htut Saing), Dr. Victor Saing (Aye Kyaw), Dr. Shirley Saing (Khin Kyi Ohn) Saya and Sayama moved to Thailand and taught at Assumption University.
Sayama Naw Charity Sein U later became Head of the RIT English Department. Met her briefly at SPZP-2012.
Sayama Toni Than is a cousin of Ko Thet Tun (Henry, M 75). Parents : U Sett Khaing and Daw Sarah Tin Gyi Spouse : U Nyi Than (retired Ambassador) Youngest aunt : Dr. Khin Kyi Nyunt (Cherry Tin Gyi), spouse of Saya U Tin U. Khamee Khamet : Saya U Win Mra. Met her briefly at SPZP-2012 and several times in 2019.
Sayama Daw Khin Saw Tint (Ann) published several books/booklets. Bilingual author. Wrote an article about her mother and two aunts. Parents : ICS U Ba Tint and Daw Khin Saw Mu (Khit San Kabyar) Uncles : ICS U Tin Tut, U Kyaw Myint U Myint Thein Dr. Htin Aung Brother : U Nay Oke Tint (St. Paul’s)
Met Sayama Muriel Spouse : Saya U Aung (Alphoso) They visited Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt in Milpitas, California. We had a couple of lunch gatherings.
Saya Des Named Desmond Rodgers Prefers to be called Des Our main English teacher in 2nd BE. Chief Editor of the RIT English Association Newsletter. Core organizer of the Debates between the 1st BE and 2nd BE students. Played soccer for the RIT Saya team. Accomplished musician : guitarist and vocalist, a regular on the BBS Variety Show. Played and sang with Saya U Win Mra (Burma’s Elvis Presley in his younger days).
Scrabble Champion at the tournaments held at Guardian premises and YMCA Moved to UK and Canada Taught “English as a Specialty Language” Published two books Wrote a long article for “RIT Alumni International Newsletter“.
.Scrabble Champion for both singles and doubles.Did post-graduate studies in the UK.Moved to Canada.Taught “English as a Specialty Language” and other English courses.Set up a consultancy firmPublished a book on English words that have been “selected” from contemporary news media and magazines. I helped catch some typos (which would go into an amendment).Saya air-mailed me the book, but I received an opened package from the Post. Saya sent again with “registered” post (including insurance). It cost more than the sales price of the book. Thanks.Had minor medical problems.Shared his memories in the RIT Alumni International Newsletter.
Saya U Khin Scrabble Champion at the tournaments held at Guardian premises and YMCA Organizer, RIT Scrabble Chambers Dictionary and Jones Pronouncing Dictionary were used to confirm/deny the word challenges. They were always present on Saya’s desk. Moved to Taiwan Wrote a letter in 2016.
Saya U Win Mra was the fourth son ICS U Shwe Mra (Chief Secretary, later UN expert). Burma’s Pole Vault Champion before he was asked to “retire” by the doctors. He and Saya Des played guitars and sang (e.g. BBS Variety Show). Won or placed in Burma’s Elvis Presley contest. Joined the Foreign Service. He was Myanmar’s Ambassador to the United Nations. He is Chair of the Myanmar Human Rights Commission.
Saya Joe Ba Maung was Burma’s Tennis Champion in Singles, Mens’ Doubles (with U Than Lwin) and Mixed Doubles (with Sayama Daw Ruby Kha). Saya joined Burma Railways. He was a victim of 8-8-88 purges.
Khemarat was the pen name of Saya Sao Kangyi Tony). Brothers : Sao Yan Naing, Sao Yan Paing
Saya U Kyaw Lwin Hla transferred to UNDP. Brother : U Kyaw Lwin Hla
U Khin’s Letter
Dear Hla Min,
I have been an ardent “fan” of your RIT Newsletter updates ever since you included me in your mailing list at the suggestion of Des Rodgers many many years ago.
You have made a great contribution to the RIT community by bringing the RIT alumni, sayas and sayamas together through your reports, messages, photos, etc. in the RIT Newsletter and also through your persistent efforts in carrying on the good work against all odds. Who is going to fill your shoes after you retire?
I spent the best years of my life (1964 ~ 1968) at the RIT and I cherish the good old days I had at the RIT with my former colleagues at the English Department such as Saya Desmond Rodgers, Saya U Win Mra, Saya U Joe Ba Maung, Saya Sao Kangyi (deceased), Saya U Kyaw Lwin Hla, Sayama Daw Tin Tin Mya (Terry), Sayama Daw Charity Sein U, Sayama Daw Khin May Lwin (Muriel), Sayama Daw Tin Tin Oo (Toni), Sayama Daw Khin Saw Tint (Anne), among others; my former colleagues at other engineering departments and non-engineering departments such as Saya U Tin Maung (Civil), Saya U Christopher Maung (Civil), Saya Allen Htay (civil), Saya Dr K.C. Khoo (Chemical), among others; and my former students Tin Tin Myint (Emma), Khin Phyu Latt (Christine), Tin Tin Hla (Su Tin), Sai Kham Sang, Pamela Myo Min, George Lim, among others.
I hope you will have a great time at the birthday party that will be hosted in your honor on August 20th (2016) at Half Moon Bay, California, by your former classmates, colleagues, sayas and sayamas.
I shall also be wishing you a happy birthday in absentia from this part of the world, and hope you will have many happy and healthy returns of the day in the years to come.
Sincerely yours,
Lucian Chen (Saya U Khin)
Three Sisters
Article about Daw Khin Mya Mu, Daw Khin Saw Mu and Daw Tin Saw Mu
During his tenure as Minister of Science and Technology, he initiated and/or implemented programs to restore RIT to its former glory and to allow “True Home Coming” at the Gyogone Campus in December 2012.
He was transferred to another Ministry before he could help his alma mater more (e.g. get accredited at the ASEAN level and beyond).
He attended SPZP-2012 and gave a speech.
He and fellow EE72 students paid respect to the EE Sayas in December, 2017.
When we organized the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in October 2000, we were told that RIT is a dying breed. Someone reminded us that Class Reunions are held as part of the Home Coming at the campuses.
Tears of sorrow fell from many sayas and alumni when they learned that their alma mater has been branded as a “Thabon Kyaung” (by U Thaung and his toadies) and that the Swel Daw Bins had been decimated.
Many felt that they would never see their alma mater in good shape again.
U Aye Myint (EP72, Minister for Science and Technology) did not forget his roots. He made possible the True Home Coming at the Gyogone Campus in 2012. Sadly for us, he was posted to another Ministry before he could help his alma mater to the fullest.
According to Saya U Moe Aung (EE 63, Tekkatho Moe War), the term “Swel Daw Yeik” was first accepted as a synonym for RIT in 1970 (Golden Jubilee of the establishment of Rangoon University).
Saya is an outstanding writer/poet, editor/publisher, “Ah Nu Pyinnyar Shin”, …
“Swel Daw Yeik Bulletin” was published by Saya U Moe Aung and his team of editors.
“Swel Daw Yeik Ah Nyeint” is a premier feature of the RIT-related gatherings (e.g. Singapore Thingyan, World wide SPZPs).
“Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung” was published for SPZP-2000, SPZP-2007, and SPZP-2010 held in Singapore.
“Swel Daw Yeik Magazine” was published for SPZP-2012, SPZP-2014 and SPZP-2016.
“Swel Daw Yeik Foundation” evolved from brain storming sessions for helping past, present, and future Burmese/Myanmar engineers. The initial scope is to provide (some) health care to all sayas and sayamas (60+ years, 7+ years of service) using the interest money (only) of the Health Care Fund.
For several years, Ma Khine Khine Win and friends) have provided funds to supplement (e.g. K50,000 per saya/sayama) the dana offering by SDYF.
Later, Ko Aung Khine and friends (Swel Daw Thway Ah Phwe) supplemented K100000 for eligible saya/sayama.
HlaMin 