Grace Hopper
1906–1992
Compiler pioneer
Developed early compilers (A-0/A-2, FLOW-MATIC), drove COBOL standardization (CODASYL), and popularized the practice of “debugging.”
Major Contributions
- - Designed the A-0 and A-2 systems (early compilers) translating symbolic code to machine code
- - Led the design of FLOW-MATIC, the first English-like data-processing language for business
- - Influenced and guided CODASYL efforts that produced COBOL and its standardization trajectory
- - Popularized “debugging” (famously documenting a moth found in hardware) and pragmatic software engineering practices
- - Advanced the use of language-agnostic, English-like specifications to broaden programming access
Recognition
- National Medal of Technology and Innovation (1991)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016, posthumous)
"The most dangerous phrase in the language is “We’ve always done it this way.”"- Grace Hopper