As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself reflecting on the people and technologies that have shaped my journey as a software developer. This holiday is the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the many influences that have helped me grow in this field and express my gratitude for the pioneers whose contributions have made the digital world what it is today.
First and foremost, I am incredibly thankful for Alan Turing. His revolutionary concept of a general-purpose computer, capable of executing any calculation based on varied algorithms, laid the foundation for modern computing. Turing is often regarded as the father of computer science, and his work has influenced every facet of software development. Yet, despite his immense contributions—such as cracking the Nazi code during World War II—he was treated poorly in his later years. His legacy is a reminder of how vital it is to celebrate brilliance and to ensure that history acknowledges its heroes. Thank you, Dr. Turing, for shaping the future of technology in ways most people could never have imagined.
I am also deeply thankful for Anders Hejlsberg and the groundbreaking tools he has developed throughout his career. While many of us got our start with BASIC, it was Turbo Pascal 5.5 that sparked my interest in programming and set me on the path to becoming a software developer. Hejlsberg’s innovation in creating Turbo Pascal, which included both a compiler and an IDE that was accessible and affordable for all, changed the landscape of software development tools. His later work, which includes the development of Delphi, C#, and TypeScript, has continued to influence the industry, making coding more efficient and accessible. Thank you, Anders, for your vision and the tools that have helped countless developers like myself.
Of course, I am also thankful for the entire software development community—past and present. The collaborations, shared knowledge, and open-source projects have made it possible to achieve incredible things. The ecosystem of frameworks, libraries, and platforms that continue to evolve every day ensures that we never stop learning and growing in our field. It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day coding, but when I step back and think about the individuals and the technological innovations that have paved the way for us, I’m reminded of the privilege it is to be part of this incredible industry. Thank you to everyone who has contributed, directly or indirectly, to the world of software development.