Software
From punched cards to compilers, languages, operating systems, the terminal, and what an executable file really is.
The Birth of Software - Punch Cards to the First Compiler
You will be able to say exactly what a program is at the lowest level, and show a real one as raw numbers.
15,965 words/69 min read16How a Compiler Actually Works
You will be able to name every stage between the text you type and the electricity that runs, in the right order, and say what each one does.
20,547 words/89 min read17Programming Languages and How to Think in Them
You will be able to say what a programming language actually is, and why there are thousands of them instead of one.
20,767 words/90 min read18Operating Systems
You will be able to say exactly what an operating system is, and name the three jobs it exists to do.
29,985 words/130 min read19The Terminal and the Shell
You will be able to say what a terminal actually was, as a physical machine, and why the word survived after the machine died.
24,240 words/105 min read20Files, Formats, Extensions and the .exe
You will be able to say exactly what a file is, and why there is no such thing as a "picture file" at the level of the disk.
23,066 words/100 min read