1: K&R 0: Historical Context
We read the introduction of the book and place the moment this book was published (1978) in the context of the history of computer hardware, operating systems, and programming languages. We explore why C (and UNIX) had such a transformative effect on computing when this book introduced them to a mainstream audience.
Slides
Videos
- A History of C, UNIX, and Computation before and after 1978
- Brian Kernighan - Building C at Bell Labs
- Chapter 0 - Introduction (Video)
References
- Chapter 0: Introduction (html)
- Brian W. Kernighan's web site for the 1988 version of the C Programming Language book
- Video: Making Computers Easier To Use -- AT&T Archives film from 1982, Bell Laboratories
- Video: Gordon Bell on the Building Blocks of Computing (PDP-1)
- Video: Resurrecting the CDC 6500 Supercomputer
- Web Site: The Faces of Open Source - UNIX
- Report: Portability of C Programs and the UNIX System
Discussions
- History / Introduction (Login Required)
Tools
- Quiz: History / Introduction (Login Required)