Oral history of British science
Hoare, Tony (Part 12 of 15). An Oral History of British Science.
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Type
sound
Duration
00:29:36
Shelf mark
C1379/52
Subjects
Computer Software
Recording date
2012-01-09
Recording locations
Interviewee’s home, Cambridge
Interviewees
Hoare, Charles Antony Richard, 1934- (speaker, male)
Interviewers
Lean, Thomas (speaker, male)
Abstract
Part 12: Remarks on Oxford: role of programmers in department, implementing compilers and languages, Joe Stoy's work on publishable operating system written in language by Christopher Strachey; capabilities of Modular One computer, Thursday meetings to manage resource; purchase of replacement Interdata computer, microprogrammable, capability and size; arrival of personal computers, purchase of Sun computers; Alvey grants for equipment, anecdote about support of friend in civil service; [05:40] use of personal computers for word processing; Alvey support for Bill Roscoe's computerised tool for analysing concurrent programs, basis for work that led to winning Queen's award with INMOS; Alvey project arrangements, administration of grants; differences in SRC and DTI support leading Bill Roscoe to having to set up a spin-off company Formal System Ltd. [13:05] Remarks on Alvey: importance of funding in early 1980s, putting them in position to apply for European Grants; sometimes unsatisfactory university-industry tie ins; creating acceptance of computer science as a research subject. [15:45] Remarks on: TH view as practical subject based on theory; value of Alvey money to bringing new people in; anecdote about importance of bringing in interesting staff, one college rejecting all applicants for a post; anecdote about left wing Bernard Sufrin success at Worcester College. [20:10] Remarks on: life in department, lots of administration; lectures, research, dealing with administrators; TH difficulties setting up full honours degree, anecdote about TH lobbying vice-chancellor on the train; importance of full honours course in adding to staff list. [24:55] Discussion of TH running of department: good experience of department where he had recruited everyone; TH strategy for picking staff and interviews, need to build homogeneous team, downsides in lack of specialisation.
Description
Interview with computer scientist Sir Tony Hoare.
Related transcripts
Professor Sir Tony Hoare interviewed by Dr Thomas Lean: full transcript of the interview
Related links
Visit this interviewee's page on the 'Voices of Science' web resource
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