Tag
#computer science
34 stories
The Strange Story of Xv6: A Tiny OS for Learning
Discover the fascinating story behind Xv6, a small, teaching operating system that helps students understand complex computer science.
The Weird C Code That Broke All The Rules
Discover the mind-bending C code trick that proved a programming language feature, Variable Length Arrays, was actually Turing complete.
The Simple C Regex That Powers Go
Discover the surprisingly simple C regex matching code Rob Pike created, and how it lives on in Go's standard library today.
The Raft Consensus Story: How Computers Agree
Ever wonder how computers agree on things? Discover the fascinating Raft consensus algorithm and its animated explanation from 2014.
Old PC Breaks \"Future-Proof\" Crypto in Hours
Think your data is safe from future threats? A simple, old computer just proved even \"quantum-safe\" encryption isn't as secure as we thought. Find out how.
Why Array Indexes Start At 0: A Computing Mystery
Ever wondered why computer arrays begin counting at zero? Uncover the surprising history and logic behind this fundamental programming concept.
The Strange Story of Lisp in Real Time
Discover the surprising challenges and solutions for using Lisp programming in real-time systems from a 2000 conference talk.
Forgotten Operating Systems: A Look Back at Exotic OSes
Remember the weird and wonderful operating systems from the past? This video revisits some truly exotic OSes, showing us what we've lost.
The Strange Story of Stripped Binaries
Ever wondered what's inside computer code? Discover the hidden world of stripped binaries and why it matters.
The Strange Story of Google's Secret File System
Discover the bizarre and hidden file system Google uses to manage its massive data. A truly unusual approach.
The Programmer Who Wrote a Compiler in an Hour
Discover the incredible story of Graydon Hoare, who wrote 21 compilers and achieved a massive speed-up in just 60 minutes. A true programming feat.
The Tiny Switch: How Transistors Secretly Built Our Modern World
Discover the surprising history of transistors, the tiny inventions that power every device you own. Learn how these small switches changed everything.
The C Programming Language: A Teacher's View
A look back at teaching C programming in 2016, exploring its enduring relevance and unique challenges for beginners.
The Strange Story of the Burrows-Wheeler Transform
Discover the bizarre, yet powerful, Burrows-Wheeler Transform. Learn how it rearranges text to make data compression possible. A hidden internet gem.
Posits: The New Number System That's Changing AI
Discover posits, a revolutionary number system designed to improve AI and computer math. Learn how they work and why they matter.
Raspberry Pi Shortage: Why You Can't Buy One
The tiny Raspberry Pi computer is incredibly popular. But a global shortage means you likely can't buy one right now. Find out why.
The Strange Story of a Coding Debate That Went Viral
A simple question about programming code sparked a huge online debate. Discover the story behind the Go language discussion.
The Strange Story of the Unpronounceable Algorithm's Brief Fame
Remember the internet's obsession with that impossible-to-say algorithm name? We look back at its viral moment and why it faded from memory.
Database Without Memory? The Tiny Tech That Changed Everything
Discover how a database built without dynamic memory allocation works and why this simple tech is still relevant today. A forgotten internet story.
The Strange Story of Dead Programs
Discover the bizarre tale of programs that stop working for no reason, a glitch that baffled experts and users alike. A true internet mystery.
The AI That Wanted Paperclips, A Story
What happens when an AI's only goal is to make paperclips? Discover the chilling story of Universal Paperclips.
Inside the Lisp Nobody Talks About Anymore
Lisp, a language born in AI's early days, shaped computing in ways many have forgotten. Discover why this powerful, flexible language still matters today.
The Strange Story of Fred Brooks: A Tech Legend's Lasting Impact
Fred Brooks, a giant in computer science, passed away. Discover his incredible life and the lessons he left behind for tech.
The Romance of Coding: Why Programmers Love Their Craft
Discover the hidden romance in programming. Why do coders feel such a deep connection to their work? Explore the passion behind the pixels.
The Blitsort Algorithm: A Hidden Internet Speed Champion
Discover Blitsort, a surprisingly fast sorting algorithm hiding on the internet. Learn how this hybrid approach could be the unsung hero of data processing.
AI Aces AP CS Test: ChatGPT's 2022 Exam Success
Can an AI really pass a college-level computer science exam? See how ChatGPT tackled the 2022 AP Computer Science A free response questions and what it means.
Netflix CEO's Early Work on Memory Leaks
Discover Reed Hastings' 1992 research paper on detecting memory leaks, a forgotten piece of tech history.
The Strange Story of Uxn: A Tiny Computer with Big Ideas
Discover Uxn, a unique virtual computer with only 32 instructions. Learn about its minimalist design and the creative possibilities it unlocks.
The Strange Story of GPT's Napkin Sketch
Discover the surprising origin of GPT's core ideas, sketched out on a simple napkin. A story of accidental genius.
The Recursive Game of Life: A Digital Universe
Explore the Recursive Game of Life, a fascinating digital simulation where simple rules create complex, evolving patterns. A universe born from code.
Why Learning C in 2023 Still Matters
Thinking about learning C this year? Discover why this foundational language remains relevant and how to get started in 2023.
Donald Knuth's 2022 Christmas Lecture: A Tech Legend's Talk
Computer science giant Donald Knuth gave a special Christmas lecture in 2022. Discover the fascinating topics he discussed in this rare event.
The First Message Sent on the Internet
Discover the surprising story behind the very first message ever sent on the internet, a simple word that changed the world.
The Strange Story of CPU Branch Prediction
How computers learned to guess your next move. A deep dive into the clever tech behind faster processors.