What did early computer scientists need to do to create a set of computer instuctions?

Answer 1

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Answer 2

That's not an easy one to answer in this space but I'll give it a shot. I'm assuming your question is about how computer instructions (e.g. the code) is created.

First, develop and apply digital logic principles. (e.g. binary operations, how gates work, etc.)
This also included things like the Von Neuman architecture which is how computers work (to some extent still do today)
Design components to execute these principles-- e.g. logic gates, registers, accumulators -- basicaly the stuff that makes up processors. In early days, this was switches, tubes etc. Today its silicon transitors basically.
Once the basic operations are designed (hardware and how the switches work independently and which each other), these are mapped to binary codes and later text mnemonics (e.g. assemblyr code) which trigger the various component operations.


Back in the early days of many computers, starting the thing up required somebody setting some switches and hitting an "execute button". I remember seeing an operating system on puched tape... but that's another story.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

wow - punch cards. That makes me an early computer scientist.

Before punch cards, they positioned switches and dials on the outside/face of the computer, and pressed a button to enter each line of code. It was even more manual that punch cards.
Punch cards were actually an enhancement that let them pre-program many lines at once on a piece of paper and send those through a reader. It also allowed them to "re-do" it quickly if they found a problem in the middle of their program.

After punch cards they used "scan cards" that read pencil marks on the paper, just like your standardized multiple choice tests in school.... then after that they moved to "audio" magnetic tapes, and finally to floppy disks.

Answer 4

assign certain values to a prepositioned space on a punch card through a low level programming language, then punch the card with the set of instructions and feed it to a mainframe.