Programming History Timeline

By Stefsaur

  • First Programming

    Al-Jazari builds a ‘programmable’ automaton using a system of pegs and cams that caused a mechanical drummer to play certain patterns.

  • First Computer

    John Presper Eckert & John W. Mauchly help create the ENIAC 1, which was possibly the first all-purpose computer.

  • FORTRAN

    FORTRAN, the first High-level programming language, is created.

  • Algol

    Algol is created. It is one of the first languages with a formal grammar, and it also invented some novel concepts such as recursive programming.

  • BASIC

    BASIC is created. It was a simple language designed for non-computer scientists to use. It was the predecessor to Visual Basic, which often used today to perform actions in Microsoft Office Programs.

  • Emergence of the Object Oriented Paradigm

    Simula appears as the first Object Oriented Language. This is the Programming Paradigm most used today.

  • Pascal

    Creation of Pascal combines some of the best ideas in COBOL, FORTRAN, and ALGOL. This gains wide popularity.

  • First Microprocessor

    The Intel 4004 Computer Microprocessor became the first microprocessor, an important step in modern electronics.

  • C

    C, was created, and was one of the first languages used to make operating systems. It was a precursor to many successful languages later on, such as C++, C#, Java, and more.
  • Period: to

    First Consumer Computers

    Scelbi & Mark-8 Altair & IBM 5100 Computers are the first consumer computers.

  • SQL

    SQL invented. While initially only a query language, it was extended to allow it to perform other functions, and it is still widely used today.

  • Perl

    Perl is created, and it acts as an excellent web interface creation language.

  • Python

    Python is created. It emphasized readability and being a general purpose language (good for scripting and projects).

  • Java

    Java becomes a classic example of Object Oriented Programming, and displays great portability. It sadly has optimization issues, but it is widely used today still.

  • Visual Basic .NET

    Visual Basic .NET is created by merging Visual Basic and the .NET framework.