CTX Blog
Academics-Computer-Science

National Programmer's Day

September 08, 2022
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Happy National Programmer’s Day!

Tuesday, September 13 is National Programmer’s Day, celebrated on the 256th day of the year. In the world of computer science, 256 is the number of distinct values that can be represented with an 8th byte (2 to the 8th power), and the highest power of two which is less than 365. 

National Programmer’s Day highlights the remarkable impact programmers and innovators have had over time. Programming has been fundamental to a vast number of applications in several disciplines. All the benefits of technology that we enjoy now are possible through the work of programmers. 

Did you know there are hundreds of programming languages? The most popular ones are Python, C++, Java, and SQL. At CTX, we embrace a broader vision of programming by introducing our Computer Science students to all of these languages, preparing them for successful careers in the high-tech industry. 

  • In December 1989, Guido Van Rossum created the programming language, Python. This specific programming language emphasizes code readability with the use of significant indentation.
  • In 1979, Bjarne Stroustrup, began work on "C with Classes”, the predecessor to C++. C++ would go on to become one of the most popular programming languages as it was designed to be a “general use” language, commonly used in video games and embedded systems. 
  • In June 1991, James Gosling, Mike Sheridan, and Patrick Naughton started the Java programming language in an effort to create a new language that would allow for consumer devices to communicate with each other.
  • In the 1970s the SQL programming language was developed by IBM researchers Raymond Boyce and Donald Chamberlin. It is useful in handling structured data, for example, data incorporating relations among entities and variables.
Dr. Bindu George

It is inspiring to think of what the tech community will build in the years ahead, particularly in the tech hub of Austin, TX. In the spirit of Programmer’s Day, I invite you to visit our CSC website, classrooms, and labs and stop by my office in D-164 to learn more about our program.

Dr. Bindu GeorgeAssistant Professor, Computer Science