Dave; I'm much more curious about programming books that were *not* machine specific. That is, about "general principles" of designing/preparing software for execution.
Of course, one needs a language; McCracken (1957) defines TYDAC. Much later (1968) Knuth defines MIX. In between perhaps one could argue that ALGOL 58 qualifies as such a language-for-demonstration, but I don't believe that there were any books specifically about programming in ALGOL 58. I presume that there were eventually such books for ALGOL 60. Then there's FORTRAN, in which context I first encountered McCracken (1961: Guide to FORTRAN Programming). Obviously my first example was EDSAC-centric. And yours is specific to the Manchester MK1. -----Original Message----- From: dave.g4...@gmail.com [mailto:dave.g4...@gmail.com] Sent: Sunday, June 20, 2021 6:57 AM To: 'Paul Birkel'; 'General Discussion: On-Topic Posts' Subject: RE: Early Programming Books Paul, What about machine specific manuals, so for example the Manchester MK1 programming manual, the second edition of which is archived here:- https://web.archive.org/web/20090526192456/http://www.computer50.org/kgill/m ark1/progman.html In fact I expect that first book refers specifically to EDSAC, so is in effect machine specific. There must have been similar manuals for other machines? I know there is a Ferranti Pegasus Programming manual, the copy I have is dated 1962 but as the last Pegasus was produced in 1959 there must have been earlier editions. Dave > -----Original Message----- > From: cctech <cctech-boun...@classiccmp.org> On Behalf Of Paul Birkel via > cctech > Sent: 20 June 2021 09:44 > To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic Posts' <cct...@classiccmp.org> > Subject: Early Programming Books > > I know of two early computer (in the stored program sense) programming > books. > > 1951: Preparation of Programs for an Electronic Digital Computer (Wilkes, Wheeler, & Gill) > 1957: Digital Computer Programming (McCracken) > > What others were published prior to the McCracken text? > > Excluded are lecture compendia and symposia proceedings, such as: > > 1946: Moore School Lectures > 1947: Proceedings of a Symposium on Large-Scale Digital Calculating Machinery > 1951: Proceedings of a Second Symposium on Large-Scale Digital Calculating Machinery > 1953: Faster Than Thought, A Symposium On Digital Computing Machines > > These were principally about designs for, and experience with, new hardware. > > I'm curious about texts specifically focused on the act of programming. > Were there others prior to McCracken? > > paul
