The History of Programming Languages

The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator) completed in 1945, was one of the first computers that could operate using electronic instructions. These electronic instructions were actually electronic states. It was an electronic device, and as such, can only have two states: on and off (well, actually almost off). These two states could be represented easily using an existing number system, known as the Binary number system, which has only two numbers: a one (1) and a zero (0). This basic computer language is refereed to as Machine Code or Machine Language. With only these two numbers, a computer can be programmed to do everything it can do today.

The first programmers had to code all programs using only these two numbers. It wasn't until the late 1950's, that a computer language was developed to make programming easier. This language used symbols and characters rather than 0's & 1's. This was known as Assembly Language. However, these programs had to be converted by an “Assembler” to Machine Code so the computer could understand them. Since then, many programming "languages" have been developed to allow programmers, and those learning to program, a much less frustrating environment in which to work to develop effective programs.