The First Programming Languages: Crash Course Computer Science

The video explores the evolution of programming from hardware-focused machine code to high-level languages. It highlights the cumbersome nature of early programming, the development of assembly languages, and the introduction of assemblers to simplify coding. The video discusses Grace Hopper's pioneering work on compilers, leading to high-level languages like Fortran and COBOL, which made programming more accessible. The evolution of programming languages is traced through the decades, emphasizing the shift towards abstraction and cross-platform compatibility, ultimately reducing the barrier to entry for computing.

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