The Journey of Programming and Its Pioneers: From the Birth of Code to the Rise of AI

In We, Programmers, software legend Robert C. Martin--"Uncle Bob"--dives deep into the world of programming, exploring the lives of the groundbreaking pioneers who built the foundation of modern computing. From Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace to Alan Turing, Grace Hopper, and Dennis Ritchie, Martin shines a light on the figures whose brilliance and perseverance changed the world.

This memoir-infused narrative provides a rich human history filled with technical insights for developers, examining the coding breakthroughs that shaped computing at the bit and byte level. By connecting these technical achievements with the human stories behind them, Martin gives readers a rare glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of the people who made modern technology possible. Depression, failure, and ridicule--these pioneers faced it all, and their stories intertwine with the evolution of computing itself as the field evolved from its humble beginnings to the cloud-based AIs of today. With the rise of AI, Martin also explores how this technology is transforming the future of programming and the ethical challenges that come with it.

Notable topics include

• Understanding programming's roots and how they shaped today's tech landscape
• The human side of coding pioneers--what drove them, and what they overcame
• Key programming breakthroughs, from the early days of assembly to the rise of object-oriented languages
• The pivotal role World War II played in advancing computer science
• Insights and predictions regarding the ethical considerations surrounding AI and the future of programming

For programmers, coders, and anyone fascinated by the intersection of people and machines, this guide to the history, humanity, and technology behind the code that powers our world today is a fascinating and essential read.

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About the Author

Robert C. Martin (Uncle Bob) has been a programmer and software development expert since 1970. He is founder of Uncle Bob Consulting, LLC, and cofounder with his son Micah Martin of The Clean Coders LLC. Martin has published dozens of articles in various trade journals and is a regular speaker at international conferences and trade shows. He is the author of many books, including Agile Software Development: Principles, Patterns, and Practices; UML for Java Programmers; Clean Code; The Clean Coder; Clean Architecture; Clean Agile; Clean Craftsmanship; and Functional Design. Martin served for three years as editor-in-chief of the C++ Report and as the first chairman of the Agile Alliance.

Reviews

"I, like Uncle Bob, spent much of my career consulting, teaching, and going to computer conferences. The importance of this is that I got to meet and dine with many of the characters in this book. So this book is about my professional friends, and I can tell you that it is a faithful story. In fact, it is incredibly well-written and researched. That is how it really was."
--From the Afterword by Tom Gilb

"I can't think of any other book that provides such a sweeping overview of the early history of programming."
--Mark Seeman

"We, Programmers is a fascinating romp through the history of computers and programming. Wonderful glimpses into the lives of some of the greats. And an enjoyable ride with Uncle Bob's career as a programmer."
--Jon Kern, co-author of the Agile Manifesto

"In We, Programmers, Bob successfully weaves together a highly entertaining history of programmers, giving us a wealth of historical context, humanizing stories, and eye-opening revelations about the foundational folks in our industry, all bolstered with just the right amount of low-level detail. Bob, being a small piece of this rich history, finds a way to pepper the history with his own relevant observations and critiques. We also get Bob's full story this time out, as well as his own thoughts about what's coming next. A fun, quick read."
--Jeff Langr

Book Information
ISBN 9780135344262
Author Robert Martin
Format Paperback
Page Count 480
Imprint Addison Wesley
Publisher Pearson Education (US)