Francesco Ciulla

From Punch Cards to AI-assisted Development

What single emotion has driven every major innovation in software development over the last 75 years?

From Punch Cards to AI-assisted Development
#1about 2 minutes

The 1950s era of punch card programming

Early programming involved a meticulous and error-prone process of punching holes in cards, which inspired the creation of higher-level languages.

#2about 2 minutes

The 1960s-70s revolution of high-level languages

The introduction of languages like Fortran and COBOL made programming more human-friendly and accessible, shifting focus from machine instructions to logic.

#3about 2 minutes

The 1980s shift to object-oriented programming

Object-oriented programming (OOP) with languages like C++ and Java introduced a new paradigm for structuring code around objects, making it more modular and reusable.

#4about 1 minute

The 1990s and the rise of web development

The invention of the World Wide Web fundamentally changed software distribution, enabling developers to build and deploy applications globally without physical media.

#5about 3 minutes

How JavaScript and its ecosystem shaped the web

JavaScript evolved from a simple scripting language to a full-stack powerhouse with a vast ecosystem of frameworks and tools like Node.js and React.

#6about 3 minutes

The Agile Manifesto's impact on development workflows

The Agile Manifesto introduced an iterative and collaborative approach to software development, prioritizing flexibility and rapid feedback over rigid, long-term plans.

#7about 3 minutes

Bridging gaps with DevOps and containerization

DevOps culture and tools like Docker broke down silos between development and operations, enabling faster delivery cycles through automation and shared ownership.

#8about 2 minutes

The current era of AI-assisted development

AI tools like GitHub Copilot are now integrated into daily workflows, amplifying developer productivity by handling repetitive tasks and generating code.

#9about 4 minutes

Core principles for thriving as a modern developer

To succeed in a constantly changing field, developers must embrace lifelong learning, remain flexible, and focus on the core satisfaction of creative problem-solving.

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