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Fernando Jose CorbatoAmerican scientist, employee of the Massachusetts Computing Center.
Date of Birth: 01.07.1926
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Fernando José Corbató: A Pioneer in Computer Science
- Contributions to Computing
- Corbató's Law
- Personal Life
- Awards and Recognition
- Wallace McDowell Award (1966)
Fernando José Corbató: A Pioneer in Computer Science
Early Life and EducationFernando Corbató was born on July 1, 1926, in Oakland, California. His passion for science and technology was evident from a young age, leading him to pursue a degree in physics at the California Institute of Technology. After graduating in 1948, he served in the U.S. Army and later obtained a PhD in electrical engineering from MIT in 1956.
Contributions to Computing
Compatible Time-Sharing System (CTSS)Corbató's contributions to the field of computer science began at the MIT Computation Center, where he joined a team led by J. C. R. Licklider. Together, they developed the Compatible Time-Sharing System (CTSS), one of the earliest operating systems to allow multiple users to interact with a computer simultaneously. For this groundbreaking work, Corbató was awarded the prestigious Turing Award in 1990.
Corbató's Law
In the realm of programming, Corbató's name is synonymous with a principle known as "Corbató's Law." The law states that "the number of lines of code a programmer can write in a fixed period of time is constant, regardless of the programming language used." This observation has become a fundamental tenet of software engineering, emphasizing the importance of programmer productivity over language choice.
Personal Life
Corbató married Isabel Goss in 1951, and they had two daughters: Carolyn and Nancy. After Isabel's passing, he remarried Emily Gould in 1989, and they raised her two stepsons: David and Jason Gische.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his illustrious career, Corbató received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to computer science, including:
Wallace McDowell Award (1966)
Harry Goode Memorial Award (1980)Turing Award (1990)
C&C Prize (1998)
Fellow Awards (2012)
Fernando Corbató's impact on the field of computer science is immeasurable. His pioneering work in time-sharing and programming has laid the foundation for modern computing. His legacy continues to inspire countless researchers and engineers, ensuring that his contributions will shape the future of technology for generations to come.
