Subj : Re: How do you use unix?
To   : poindexter FORTRAN
From : Neko
Date : Wed Dec 18 2024 13:38:19

  Re: Re: How do you use unix?
  By: poindexter FORTRAN to Rixter on Mon Dec 16 2024 20:23:03

 > In my high school computer class, we took a break from Commodore CBM systems to work on a WANG computer feeding batch jobs
 > on punch cards. When we asked why we had to do it, my teacher said "Trust me, you'll understand some day".
 >
 > Now, I get to say "WHY YOU KIDS HAVE IT SO EASY - WHEN I STARTED OUT WE HAD TO FEED BATCHES OF CARDS INTO THE COMPUTER TO
 > SEE YOUR PROGRAM OUTPUT!"

I've heard that some universities still have "coding on paper" courses, classes and exams. I don't think it has a purpose other than filtering out students. I was lucky enough to see a real FORTRAN punch card (as a door note) and to type a little on VT100 hardware terminal.

However, I've heard a story from one of IT teachers about writing code on paper so it could be passed to an operator, who typed it into a machine and gave back the printed (literally) output. It was back when computers were uncommon at home and when there was no IBM PC yet. At least not here.

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