Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: Seadog Bytes
"...and don't forget doing those programs on punch-cards!"

What's a "punch card"? We have tens of thousands of them at the office, relics of another time. They are great used as notepads. LOL!

Honestly, I've heard stories from the older guys telling us about those days. It must have been hell! /salute

8 posted on 03/22/2007 7:23:48 PM PDT by KoRn (FRED THOMPSON FOR PRESIDENT!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies ]


To: KoRn
RE: 'Hollerith' cards

As I remember it, the three biggest problems were:

1. that cardpunch machines were totally unforgiving - if you made a typo, you started over with a new card, and

2. the card decks (programs) had to stay in exact order - easy to do, but DON'T drop them! - and they were not the slightest bit inclined to STAY in order unless you were ever-vigilant with them, and

3. that the card READER machines were often referred to as the 'card-mangler' machines so, even if YOU did everything right, the card-reader could STILL do your program in!

9 posted on 03/22/2007 9:09:24 PM PDT by Seadog Bytes (OPM - The Liberal 'solution' to every societal problem. (Other People's Money))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson