Dennis Ritchie dead

[Jibz]

I didn't see a post about this yet, but apparently Dennis Ritchie^w, co-inventor of the C programming language, and co-developer of Unix is dead .

https://plus.google.com/u/2/101960720994009339267/posts/ENuEDDYfvKP?hl=en

http://boingboing.net/2011/10/12/dennis-ritchie-1941-2011-computer-scientist-unix-co-creator-c-co-inventor.html

[mouser]

Rest in peace.  If there is a heaven it's probably coded in C so i think he'll do fine.

[xtabber]

Dennis Ritchie, who gave the world the C programming language and was one of the main developers of the UNIX operating system, has passed away.

I had been programming in FORTRAN and various flavors of assembly language for a decade before C burst on the scene in the late 1970's, and it was a revolution. For the first time, here was a programming language that combined the benefits of high level languages (rapid development, portability, etc.) with the granular control of assembly language.

According to industry surveys, C is currently the second most widely used programming language in the world and may, once again, take the number one spot as Java use declines. C is unquestionably the most important computer language ever developed -- nearly every language since then is based on, or incorporates elements of C.

The success of C can be attributed to Ritchie's elegant design, as further refined in collaboration with Brian Kernighan. Their 1978 book "The C Programming Language,"  as revised a decade later to incorporate the ANSI standardization, remains today one of the best introductions to programming ever written.

[mahesh2k]

RIP. Dennis.

If there is a heaven it's probably coded in C so i think he'll do fine.

[mouser]

Like many others, when I came across the C programming language book by Kernighan and Ritchie sometime in the mid 80s, I was instantly taken by the language.


What a book, what a language, what an age.

[wraith808]

As opposed to the other thread about a certain Apple executive, I think that Ritchie represents the change that the hipsters strive so hard to re-create.  I'll leave my commentary at that.

R.I.P.

[Jibz]

+1, wraith808

[f0dder]

What a book, what a language, what an age.

A book that is still relevant today, IMHO.

RIP, Ritchie. This is a loss.

[40hz]

Those of us in the BSD and Linux communities will forever be indebted to the work of this man. Dennis Ritchie is an individual whose achievements will continue to be felt for as long as there are systems and the people to use them.

His personal contribution to this world was genuine and enduring. And the loss of an intellect such as he possessed will be felt by us all.

I can think of no higher praise for a life well-lived than that.

Farewell Dennis. Go with grace and our collective gratitude.

[Armando]

As opposed to the other thread about a certain Apple executive, I think that Ritchie represents the change that the hipsters strive so hard to re-create.  I'll leave my commentary at that.

R.I.P.

+1

Yes. While everybody cries the death of you know who, Dennis Ritchie dies much more plainly -- if not completely silently for the vast majority -- while he really and originally contributed to technological innovation and progress. What a world.  

R.I.P.

[Jibz]

Dennis Ritchie: The Shoulders Steve Jobs Stood On

http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2011/10/thedennisritchieeffect/

Rob Pike on the legacy of Dennis Ritchie, C & Unix

https://plus.google.com/u/0/101960720994009339267/posts/33mmANQZDtY

Herb Sutter / Bjarne Stroustrup on Dennis Ritchie

http://herbsutter.com/2011/10/12/dennis-ritchie/

[Armando]

Thanks. Nice links.

[Armando]

His home page : http://cm.bell-labs.com/cm/cs/who/dmr/

[Stoic Joker]

Yes. While everybody cries the death of you know who, Dennis Ritchie dies much more plainly -- if not completely silently for the vast majority -- while he really and originally contributed to technological innovation and progress. What a world.

That's because true heroes don't need a parade.

I never knew the man's name, but I do love his work.

[Jibz]

His home page : http://cm.bell-labs.com/cm/cs/who/dmr/

Thanks for the link, some awesome documents there for C geeks .

[Armando]

Can't resist... One last link : Dennis Ritchie: the other man inside your iPhone

[Tuxman]

HE IS IN MY IPHONE!?!??!?!? 

Good I don't use these lifestyle trash gadgets.

[Carol Haynes]

Like many others, when I came across the C programming language book by Kernighan and Ritchie sometime in the mid 80s, I was instantly taken by the language. (see attachment in previous post)
What a book, what a language, what an age.

Cooo ... that's a blast from the past - I taught using that book in the 80s and now I forgotten everything I ever knew about C (apart from the idea of pointers which were a brilliant idea but VERY easy to get wrong!)

To have a computer language stand at the top of the programming pile for so long is testament to the man's genius.

[MerleOne]

A nice tribute to Dennis Ritchie in a French magazine :

http://www.lepoint.fr/high-tech-internet/dennis-ritchie-l-autre-genie-mort-en-octobre-2011-17-10-2011-1385493_47.php

It starts with "He was one of the greatest computer scientist of the planet, if not the greatest...."