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"Software" Before Stored Program Computers

We are so used to the idea of being able to convert a computer from a web browser to a spread sheet processor to an internet movie viewer to a .... at the touch of a mouse loading in a different program that it is hard it imagine more primative days when you had to turn off the machine, remove one plug board (program) and insert a different plug board (program) and start the machine again.

However, not all is progress. We did not get into the operating system wars, could not blame Bill Gates for all unexpected errors, did not argue the relative advantages/disadvantages of C, C++, C#, Java, Lua, COBOL, Fortran, Perl, BASIC, ADA, Pascal, Java, and hundreds of other computer "languages". Think of the time and emotion saving of "the good old days". ;-))

Here are "coding sheets" for some plug board machines ;-))

Here are work sheets for the 513 and 517 reproducing and summary punches.
courtesy LaFarr Stuart

This is a work sheet for an IBM 405 Accounting Machine, a close relative of an IBM 402 shown here
courtesy LaFarr Stuart


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