HANDS-ON EXAMPLE 1.2.1 Exploring Software Programming Languages Computer software programming has a long history. In this activity, you will explore some of this history and report on your findings. 1. Launch a web browser, and navigate to a search engine. Enter the search string: history of programming languages. 2. Evaluate the validity of the search results, and select a website to visit. 3. How would you characterize the number of programming languages that have been developed: a few, several, or many? 4. Select one of the languages listed in the article, and find its date of creation, target platform if available, and developer. 5. Identify five major advances in computing languages from 1842 to present day. Visit other websites if necessary to find additional information. 6. Prepare to share your results with the class. Try It! Research the early computer language FLOW-MATIC. Locate information on its developer, date of creation, target platform, and uses. Find at least one advantage and one disadvantage of this language. SECTION REVIEW 1.2 Check Your Understanding 1. Why was Ada Lady Lovelace’s programming code not used in the 19th century? 2. Of what does the software development lifecycle consist? 3. Describe cross-platform development. 4. What are the four general types of application software? 5. Which sector of computer science is dedicated to the design, development, and deployment of the best software possible? Build Your Vocabulary As you progress through this course, develop a personal computer science glossary. This will help you build your vocabulary and prepare you for a career. Write a definition for each of the following terms and add it to your computer science glossary. COBOL Java object object-oriented coding platform software development lifecycle Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 20 Introduction to Computer Science: Java Programming