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Why You Should Get Yourself a Job with Legacy Programming Languages

Key Takeaways

“Old” languages are still relevant: FORTRAN, COBOL, and Pascal continue to play crucial roles in specific domains.
FORTRAN: Excels in scientific computing and high-performance computing.
COBOL: Remains essential in financial systems for handling large datasets and transactions.
Pascal: Influenced modern languages and continues to be used in education.
Career opportunities exist: Skilled programmers in these languages are in demand and can command competitive salaries.
Learning value: Studying these languages provides valuable insights into the history and foundations of computer science.
Evolving landscape: While newer languages are dominant, maintaining legacy systems built on older languages creates ongoing demand for programmers.

AI-generated image. “PEOPLE, PLEASE REMAIN CALM! AI CAN’T TAKE OUR JOBS IF WE LEARN HOW TO PROGRAM BETTER!”

Come one, come all! Welcome back to yet another exciting reason why you should get ahead of the AI threat. We all know AI is on the brink of taking everyone’s job. Everywhere you look you can find someone shouting out loud and not-so-proud; “THEY TOOK OUR JOBS!” Well, in today’s read (which may not help you since AI can program as well) we’re going to over the programming languages of old. Yes, that’s right, in an effort to protect our future, we first must learn about their past. What languages did they speak? Are they still being used today? Could you get a job today using these languages? Are all questions we seek to answer. Let us begin.

Are “Old” Programming Languages Still Relevant?

You might be surprised to learn that some of the oldest programming languages are still very much alive and kicking! While the tech world is constantly buzzing about the latest shiny new languages like Python and JavaScript, languages like FORTRAN, COBOL, and Pascal have a rich history and continue to play crucial roles in various industries.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

FORTRAN: Born in the 1950s, FORTRAN (FORmula TRANslation) was a pioneer, designed for scientific and engineering calculations. It excels in number-crunching tasks, making it indispensable in fields like weather forecasting, financial modeling, and high-performance computing. For example, its ability to handle complex mathematical computations with high precision and efficiency is why it’s still used in scientific research and engineering projects.
COBOL: This “Common Business Oriented Language” was specifically created for business applications. Think handling massive datasets, managing financial transactions, and powering the back-end systems of many large corporations. You might be surprised to know that millions of lines of COBOL code are still in use today! It’s the backbone of many banking systems, where reliability and extensive processing capabilities are crucial.
Pascal: While perhaps less prominent in industry, Pascal played a significant role in computer science education. Its structured approach to programming influenced many modern languages and helped shape how we teach programming concepts. Universities and colleges often used Pascal to introduce students to the fundamentals of programming due to its clear syntax and structured programming principles.

AI-generated image. “We don’t stand a chance if I don’t learn these programming languages. Why do I have to be the chosen one?”

Are They Still Used Today?

Well, the short answer is…yes. Absolutely!

FORTRAN: Remains a powerhouse in scientific computing and high-performance computing. Its ongoing relevance is due to its specialized libraries and tools that support extensive mathematical and engineering calculations. This language continues to evolve, with versions like Fortran 90 and Fortran 2008 bringing modern features to the table.
COBOL: Continues to underpin critical business systems, especially in finance. COBOL’s strength lies in its ability to process large volumes of transactions with accuracy and reliability. Efforts to modernize COBOL include integrating it with contemporary technologies and updating its syntax to make it more accessible to today’s programmers.
Pascal: While its direct use might have declined, its influence on other languages and its role in education remain significant. For instance, Object Pascal (Delphi) carries forward the legacy of Pascal in a modern object-oriented form, used in both desktop and mobile app development.

Can You Still Make Money with Them?

You can make money with any language but apparently companies are willing to pay big bucks. So, the answer is, yet again. Yes, you can!

Skilled FORTRAN programmers: are highly sought after in sectors like scientific research and high-performance computing, often commanding competitive salaries. Their expertise is invaluable in maintaining and developing high-precision applications for academia and industry.
COBOL programmers: who can maintain and modernize existing systems are in high demand, especially in the financial industry. These programmers ensure the seamless operation of critical financial transactions and data processing tasks, making them indispensable in the banking and insurance sectors.

AI-generated image. “You know the more time I spend programming a computer, the more I realize they’re right. It is time for a change.”

The Evolving Programming Landscape

While newer languages like Python and JavaScript dominate many areas today, the need to maintain and modernize legacy systems built on older languages creates a continuous demand for programmers proficient in these languages. Understanding these foundational languages also provides deeper insights into the development of programming paradigms and practices over the decades.

Should You Learn Them?

Learning older languages can provide valuable insights into the foundations of computer science. If you’re interested in scientific computing, finance, or working with legacy systems, learning FORTRAN or COBOL could open up unique career opportunities. Additionally, the structured thinking and problem-solving skills developed through Pascal can be beneficial across various programming tasks.

In Conclusion

While the tech world is constantly evolving, older programming languages like FORTRAN, COBOL, and Pascal continue to play important roles. They demonstrate the enduring power of robust, well-designed languages and remind us that the history of computing is deeply intertwined with their development and evolution. The knowledge and expertise in these languages remain valuable assets in the ever-changing tech landscape. And with all of that being said, should you learn any of these languages? Or a language in general? Yeah, I mean people should learn something new every day. Learning a programming language, if any, places you above someone who doesn’t know the language. Remember your goal is to standout in the job market, not to blend in.

Disclaimer: This script is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or career advice.

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Security, Tech

Experience the James Wood method

Consider following on social media!

Quick note: if you’re viewing this via email, come to the site for better viewing. Enjoy!

Someone walking on a beach — What trying to find a job that needs my skillset in 2022 looks like.
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Let’s say you’re on a beach, you’re taking a lovely stroll by yourself, watching the sun setting on the horizon as you walk by. The birds are flying high in the air, weaving up and down, some gliding to the ground and landing ahead of you.

You enjoy the smell of fresh ocean air with every step you take. As you’re walking taking in all that’s ahead, you notice some funny activity behind you like someone is following. You say to yourself, “Nah, this is a public beach, so it could be people just walking up to the water line.”

You turn around wide-eyed to find someone has been following you and not only has that person been pursuing you, but others have been trailing you as well. You see, while you’ve been taking this lovely soul-searching, deep thought-provoking stroll, those majestic footprints you have been leaving behind have turned into what are called “breadcrumbs” for anyone to track you.

If you didn’t know, the internet has always seen you with the ability to leave your mark in the digital sand. However, a perk to real sand is water washes your record in time. With digital, not so much.

creepy guy in mask wearing black robe in the woods — Thank you for shopping at Walmart, don’t forget to fill out our survey.
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Digital Horror Ahead

What is this madness that lets people track you like you’re in a horror movie? They’re called digital footprints, or digital shadows as some would call them. Digital footprints are traceable activities, actions, or pretty much anything you do on the internet.

This could range from visiting websites (any sites, not just the ones with scantily clothed individuals you’re thinking about, ya freak…again, I am judging you) sending personal or professional emails, or even searching for your favorite Christmas dinner recipe that Nana posted so many years back.

And trust me, Gen-Z is finding out all about these footprints. There are several types of digital footprint which are passive, active, personally identifiable, anonymous, user input, and sensor data. In a nutshell, they range from “oh I didn’t know I was going to be redirected” to, “hey, my phone auto-suggested something I like”.

Having access to a lot of things is great but also being followed unknowingly and it being legal kinda sucks. I mean, where is the consent…I know I glossed over the privacy policy, but it was too long, and I wanted to see what the “baddies” on Instagram were all about.

man with cold stare — Helping shoppers around every corner.
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Every Step You Take

So…this is about to get uncomfortable. Who tracks you like the sweet slow jam from the 80s? Well, one of them is ironically named the Police and just so happens to be one group that would turn to use digital footprints.

Police or law enforcement would use footprints to track cybercriminals and possibly keep track of online behavior. Do you remember that “Here, have a seat” guy? Digital footprints aid in situations like that. Do you like cookies? You do, that’s great!

Advertisers and people seeking your business like them too, cookies are used to customize ads for targeting you. Like, in my situation, you purchase one electric bike and now all you see in the ad space of every site you go to are electric bikes. It’s very haunting.

But while there are some creepy effects, digital footprint does have its benefits, ranging from detecting and preventing fraud, making shopping a breeze because, well everything is tailored to your interests, and even just the simple act of being able to recall a previously visited site.

Despite the fact you may click “no” in your preferences or settings when visiting a site, they still track you anyway. It’s like going to a store and one of the employees on the floor ask, “Do you need help finding anything?” and you reply with a “No, thank you, just browsing.” Followed by an awkward moment of silence and a brief stare.

You turn to walk, and they start following you anyway. Like good god, I just said no, go away.

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woman with gen z cake — Fun fact: if you bring a cake to your job interview…your chances of getting the job are still the same.
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Safe Space Results 404

Do you recall when I mentioned that Gen-Z is finding out about the horrors of digital footprints? No, then go back up and read this like a decent human being. If yes, then here goes the “oh no” moment, potential employers incorporate this in their decision to hire you.

This means every time you upload or like a twerk video, try to viral a cringe TikTok, post about how great America is compared to other countries on Facebook, or even tell your previous employer to go screw themselves on LinkedIn (sidenote; never air out your previous employer on social media), all of this runs the risk of you not landing that sought after position or promotion you’re seeking to claim.

However, there are ways to keep your footprint as small as possible, most of which are going to require you to do some work and by some, meaning a lot. This pretty much parallels fixing your credit score, your options are contacting data collectors, and telling them to forget your information (some of which may not play ball). Make your social media private.

If you wanted to take an easier route, you can sign up for third-party services that will handle things for you (keep in mind this is not a one-time buy, so as long as you’re on the internet and care about the effect of your online interactions, you’ll have to pay).

You can hide your browsing habits by using a good virtual private network or VPN, but like I always tell people, “Using a VPN is the same as using a condom, you can still get pregnant.”

You should panic a little bit if you worry about trying to land that dream job.
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Digital History Unclear

Now you’re probably paranoid about your browser history and everything you’ve ever said on the internet. Should you be though? This is the year 2022 and we are in the age of “acceptance” and “fairness”.

Honestly, what you said years back when you were young should not come back to haunt you. Social media should be a place where you can connect with like-minded people and share ideas.

However, it seems like the internet is the best place for someone to pick up dirt and fling it at you. The internet has always been the wild wild west but for employers to add a digital footprint to your background check is madness because one or a few posts don’t display the whole picture.

Just hope one day people learn how to differentiate the before and after when making a judgment call.

Me chances of getting a job is ruined, me should’ve stay off the hub blood. I’m ruined.
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Programming, Tech

Discover Why Reading About Minicomputers Could Save Your Life

Key Takeaways

Minicomputers were mid-range computers used for various tasks, bridging the gap between personal computers and mainframes.
Modern smartphones, in some ways, resemble minicomputers due to their processing power and capabilities.
Building a minicomputer from scratch is a complex task requiring knowledge of computer architecture and electronics.
Minicomputers were capable of supporting remote work through networking technologies.
Minicomputers are no longer widely available for purchase but can be found as vintage items.
Minicomputers and quantum computers are fundamentally different in their computing principles.

AI-generated image. I’m not sure as to why there’s not a keyboard here, but hey. BIOS, am I right?

Minicomputers: A Journey Through Time and Technology

Okay, all right, we have to talk about something that isn’t on the trending market that should be. With everything that once was big, now modeling “Honey, I shrunk the kids.” What do I mean by this? Back in the day, a cell phone was massive, almost brick size. But with time, they have gotten smaller and smaller. So, today we’re going to talk about our lovely small friend whom no one is thinking about, minicomputers.

Minicomputers once stood as the bridge between personal computers and large mainframe systems. They were the go-to choice for businesses and organizations that needed more computing power than a personal computer but less than a mainframe. These versatile machines were often employed for tasks like data processing, accounting, and inventory management.

Are Cell Phones the New Minicomputers?

That’s a good question reader, I’m glad you asked it. In some respects, yes. Modern smartphones boast processing power that rivals many early minicomputers. They can handle complex tasks, run multiple applications simultaneously, and connect to vast networks. However, the term “minicomputer” traditionally refers to a standalone machine designed for specific computing tasks, while smartphones are primarily communication devices.

AI-generated image. Take it apart they said, it’ll be fun they said.

Building Your Own Minicomputer

So, can you build a minicomputer yourself? Creating a minicomputer from scratch is no small feat. It requires a deep understanding of computer architecture and electronics. In case you’re wondering, yes, you will have to take some courses before you can think to build your own. The process involves assembling components like a CPU, memory, storage, input/output devices, and a power supply. Additionally, you would need to design and write the operating system and software to run on the machine. But don’t let this discourage you, it is possible and fun. depending on what kind of learner you are.

Minicomputers and Remote Work

Minicomputers were quite capable of supporting remote work, especially with the advent of networking technologies like dial-up modems and later, the internet. Users could connect to the minicomputer remotely to access data and run applications, making them a valuable tool for remote operations.

Where to Find Minicomputers Today

Minicomputers are not widely available for purchase today, having been largely replaced by more powerful and affordable personal computers and servers. However, vintage minicomputers can sometimes be found on online marketplaces or at specialized electronics stores, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the past of computing. Keep in mind, you always want to check the specs before you purchase. These are mini devices, not portable gaming consoles.

AI-generated image. Mini and quantum, aren’t they the same?

Minicomputers vs. Quantum Computing

Minicomputers and quantum computers are fundamentally different. How? Minicomputers are traditional computers that process information in bits (0s and 1s). Quantum computers, on the other hand, leverage quantum mechanics to process information in qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously. This allows for potentially much faster and more complex calculations, but quantum computing technology is still in its early stages of development.

Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or a history buff, the story of minicomputers offers a fascinating look at the evolution of computing technology. From their heyday in business applications to their modern-day counterparts in smartphones and quantum computers, minicomputers have left an indelible mark on the world of technology. Never forget, every device is a tool.

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