When I first started learning how to code, it was hard to imagine just how far the world of software and programming had come — and how quickly it was still evolving. Since this category on my blog will cover a wide range of programming topics, I thought it would be a good idea to begin with a brief walk through history: not just to celebrate how far we’ve come, but to better understand the foundations that support what we do today.
From Machine Code to Meaningful Languages
In the very beginning, programming wasn’t programming as we know it. It was wires and switches. Then it was punched cards. And eventually, we got machine code — a stream of binary instructions like 101010 that computers could execute directly. Needless to say, it wasn’t exactly user-friendly.
The 1950s and 60s brought the first high-level programming languages: Fortran, COBOL, and LISP, each designed to make programming slightly more human-readable. For example, Fortran was built for scientific computing, COBOL for business applications, and LISP for symbolic AI research.
These weren’t just conveniences — they were revolutions. They allowed programmers to think less about hardware and more about logic, structure, and problem-solving.
Structured Thinking and the Rise of Software Engineering
As programs grew more complex, the need for better structure became urgent. The 1970s introduced languages like C and Pascal, encouraging cleaner syntax and more modular code. The term “software engineering” began to take hold as people realized that building reliable software needed processes and planning — not just brilliant minds typing away.
This was also the era when Unix was born, bringing with it tools, compilers, and philosophies that still influence modern development.
Object-Oriented Programming and GUI Boom
In the 1980s and 90s, Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) reshaped how people approached code. Languages like C++ and later Java popularized the idea of classes and objects — bundling data and behavior into reusable chunks. It was a mental shift that made large-scale software much more manageable.
At the same time, graphical user interfaces (GUIs) were taking over. People didn’t want command lines — they wanted buttons, windows, and scrollbars. Software had to become visual, responsive, and user-focused.
Open Source, Web Apps, and Modern Paradigms
The late 90s and early 2000s brought the internet revolution, and with it, the rise of scripting languages like JavaScript, PHP, and Python. Development became faster, more experimental, and more collaborative — thanks in part to the rise of open-source communities like GNU and later GitHub.
Frameworks like .NET, Ruby on Rails, and Django helped abstract complex logic and made powerful applications easier to build and maintain.
One of the biggest shifts? Programming wasn’t just for engineers anymore. Suddenly, artists, marketers, researchers — people from all backgrounds — were starting to code.
Today’s Landscape: Diversity, Flexibility, and Speed
Now we live in a world where a developer can choose between dozens of languages, tools, and philosophies. Want to build a backend? You could use Python, Go, Node.js, or even Rust. Want to build a mobile app? Flutter, React Native, Kotlin — take your pick.
Programming today is also about how well you collaborate. Version control with Git, CI/CD pipelines, Agile methodologies — all of these are now part of the modern developer’s reality.
And if you check salimkilinc.com, you’ll notice I try to reflect that diversity. I don’t just write about one language or one framework. I believe that understanding different approaches is what makes a well-rounded developer.
What’s Next?
There’s a lot to be excited about: AI-assisted coding (yes, I’ve tried it), low-code/no-code platforms, quantum programming, and even natural language interfaces.
But no matter where it’s headed, programming is still — at its heart — about solving problems with logic and creativity. And that’s something I plan to keep writing about here.