From Logic Puzzles to Programming

How did I fall into the world of programming, a path that has been both inspiring and reflective?

My story begins with a fascination for logic puzzles, which were my primary source of entertainment before the digital age. These puzzles, found in magazines, were essentially "if then else" questions hidden in a matrix, a precursor to the logical thinking required in programming.

My first encounter with programming was with the Commodore Vic 20, a defining moment in the UK market. This sparked a passion that would lead me to upgrade to the Commodore 64, the best-selling home computer of its time. It was on this machine that I began writing my own programs, a process that was both challenging and rewarding.

At the time, I was working as a signalman for British Rail, often on night shifts. With a growing interest in learning to code, I sought a career change and decided to pursue programming. I enrolled in a correspondence course, which, although not ideal, this was before the world-wide web, it provided a foundation in coding. This journey was long, but it culminated in a qualification that opened the door to my first programming job over 30 years ago.

My initial programming language was BASIC, an acronym for Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. This language, along with COBOL, was part of my course, preparing me for mainstream programming on mainframes and minis. My first PC, a Commodore PC 1, had no hard drive, only a 5¼ inch floppy disk drive, which required frequent disk swapping—a step up from the tape-drive on the 64!

The correspondence course involved coding assignments that were sent off by post for evaluation, likely using punch cards. Errors were returned for correction, a process that taught me patience and precision. Eventually, my code would compile and run, leading to either a bug report or confirmation of success.

With a certificate in hand, I embarked on a career in computer programming, starting with a dialect of BASIC called RBASIC. This language has been a constant in my career, providing a stable and rewarding income.

Looking back over the years, I realise how those old logic puzzles from my pre-computer days honed my skills in "if then else" questions, strengthening my logical thinking. My decision to pursue coding as a career was solidified with the purchase of the Commodore PC 1, which together set the mold for my life in IT.

Programming came naturally to me, and I found an affinity with its structure and logic. The thrill of writing code that compiles successfully on the first attempt still tickles me to this day! My passion for programming has been a constant and brought stability into my life.

As I approach retirement, my focus shifts to writing, a pursuit that, like coding, requires imagination and creativity. This new chapter in my life emphasises freedom, a value I hold dear now that I’m getting older.

As I re-launch myself into writing, join me on this journey into freedom. If any part of my story resonates with you, or if you're interested in exploring similar paths, feel free to reach out. Let's inspire each other as we continue to grow and develop in our respective fields.

Stay curious and keep exploring,

Paul.