Had quite the interesting lunch conversation, argument rather, that seemed like a decent topic of discussion here. It started with a coworker mentioning a list about the best software programmers ever (http://www.ranker.com/list/most-influential-software-programmers-of-all-time/ready-to-startup apparently) and going on a rant about how the early programmers, those who created the first programming languages, are the most influential because without these basics none of the more recent programming icons would have created the PHP or Google or any of that. Others argued that those initial programmers didn't create the PHP or Google so give more credit to whose who did. We went round and round for nearly an hour and never really settled on one way or another. Is this a discussion that will circle for eternity or is there some logic that is missing? Thoughts?
I agree that the early computer scientists, like Dennis Ritchie, Ken Thompson and Bjarne Stroustrup were some of the most influential. But then again, where would we be without Alan Turing or John Von Neumann? I don't like how the creator of Java is above Dennis Ritchie, considering most of the syntax was taken from C. John backus at number 20!? Hell no. He should be in the top 2. FORTRAN paved the way for all modern languages and is still in wide use today, despite being developed in the fifties.
Yeah, Backus at 20 is a serious whiskey tango foxtrot -- especially with that dirty unwashed hippie and his commie rhetoric BS that would have remained stillborn and in obscurity if not for Linus at #3... Kinda sad for that Mullenwig dip to even be on the list given what a wreck turdpress is and the company he's listed along side; though I guess influential and popular doesn't necessarily mean good... also wondering what the devil Carmack is doing on there and why the blazes Micheal Abrash isn't on the list if Carmack is... Pleased that Dr. Nick is at #7 though...