A brief history of programming or why a bug in code is called a "bug"

The beginning of the story dates back to the 19th century, when the concept of mechanical computing was born. Charles Babbage, an English mathematician and inventor, is often called the "father of the computer" because of his designs for a mechanical calculating machine called the Analytical Engine. He played a key role in the early stages of the automation of computing. The design of the analytical machine inspired British mathematician Ada Lovelace, who used it to describe an algorithm for calculating a mathematical sequence - becoming the first person ever to create what we now call a computer program.

Another major milestone in the history of programming was the advent of electronic computers in the 1940s. At that time, programming was done at the machine code level and later in assembly language. The development of languages such as Fortran in the 1950s and COBOL in the 1960s enabled the wider use of computers in science, engineering and business. The C language, introduced in the 1970s, enabled the efficient development of operating systems and became the basis of many subsequent technologies.

The 1980s saw a major shift with the advent of personal computers and the development of the software industry. Object-oriented languages such as C++ brought clearer structuring of code and easier maintenance of larger projects. During this period, but also in the following decades, other new languages such as Perl or Python began to take hold, offering developers new possibilities for automating tasks or working with text. The 1990s saw a significant expansion of the Internet, which was followed by the emergence of languages aimed at developing web applications. Java, with its emphasis on portability between different operating systems, and PHP as a simple scripting language for dynamic websites, have fundamentally influenced the shape of the modern Internet. Gradually, JavaScript, originally intended as a complement to HTML, also appeared on the scene, and over the years has become an indispensable tool for creating interactive Web sites and complex Web applications. Python - a language focused on readability and simplicity - has not only been used in web development, but today powers applications ranging from web portals to data processing to artificial intelligence.

The Ruby on Rails framework is also an important chapter in the evolution of modern programming and web applications. Introduced in 2004, it has had a profound impact on the way web applications are developed, particularly through its emphasis on simplicity, code clarity and high developer productivity. Ruby on Rails enabled faster design of prototypes and fully functional applications and inspired the creation of many other contemporary frameworks. It is because of this approach that Railsformers has long specialized in developing robust yet flexible web solutions built on this technology.

An interesting moment in programming history is the origin of the term "bug". Although the word has been used for various glitches before in electrical engineering, its association with computers is preserved thanks to an event in 1947. At the time, programmers actually discovered a bug caused by a moth stuck between relays. This insect visitor caused a technical error and was literally recorded in a log book with the note "first actual case of bug being found". Since then, the term "bug" has become a common part of the developer's vocabulary - although nowadays we are more likely to encounter logical or syntactical problems than insects in hardware.

The evolution of programming is an example of how quickly the field can change when supported by technical advances and creative approaches. From mechanical computing to cloud services and smart automation, each stage has brought new ways of thinking, developing and solving problems. Today, programming is not only a tool for technological development, but also an important part of education, research and business across disciplines.

Just a few years ago, everything was in the hands of human programmers, but today artificial intelligence is increasingly intervening in software development. Modern AI systems can already analyse, find bugs in code, design entire algorithms and generate parts of programs based on natural language input. Increasingly, machine learning algorithms are taking over some of the routine programming work, allowing developers to focus more on the design and architecture of the solution, while the technology handles the optimization or automation.

If you are following the evolution of technology or considering your own digital solutions, the history of programming shows that the key to moving forward is not only knowledge of the past, but also openness to new approaches. Railsformers provides not only technical expertise, but also conceptual support for companies that want to use information technology strategically and effectively. We are happy to open the topic of digitalization, application development or system integration with you - with an emphasis on reliability, flexibility and long-term sustainability of solutions.