The Evolution of Modern Programming: Why Old Computer Programmers Couldn't Match Today’s Applications

It is worth for a moment working out what a modern application is. I suspect we are talking about a mixture of UI styling and working in such a way that the UI thread is not blocked. Obviously at one point, the UI and computational capabilities of the device simply were not up to scratch.

Modern Applications vs. Old Computing Power

Computing power-wise, the late 80s/early 90s is when we could have modern applications on home desktops. We may have to only have one modern style application open at a time and some of the fluff would have to be paired down, but I am sure you could have a modern-styled application on a computer from that era. However, that is not what we have. Instead, we see basic, clunky user interfaces. The reason for this is that UI developers had not yet learned what works. Back in these dark days, MDI (Multi-Document Interface) was still considered good. We learned from MDIs and created tabs and IDE-style interfaces now.

UI Developers and User Expectations

UI had to be more obvious because the users did not know what to expect. Buttons looked like physical buttons. Over time, opinions on style changes have evolved, leading to the current focus on simplicity and modern design. This is a testament to how UI libraries, which did not exist back then, have been created and refined to make UI design easier and more effective.

Requirements and Technological Advancements

Requirements change. Back in the late 80s/early 90s, having just 256 colors was common. Sure, some people would have more, but your application would need to work for everyone. Over time, these requirements have evolved, leading to the modern, rich visual experiences we see today. With the advancement of technology, computers now offer more powerful resources, allowing for applications that were once pipe dreams to become reality.

The Role of Standardization

The computer itself has played a crucial role in this evolution. Modern computers are more powerful, meaning things that were previously resource-intensive can now be achieved. This progress also means that we no longer have to spend much of our time trying to shoehorn stuff in and can instead focus on the real problem. Computers, in a real sense, are often cheap enough that failure is an option.

Like anything, much of modern programming is built on the building blocks laid down in years past. This is the opposite of the many dead-ends that were already researched where you did have to consider them in the past. Standardization, especially of much of the underlying plumbing, has been crucial. Many of the standards are bad, but they have allowed us to focus on the real problems we are trying to solve. For example, not having to write a custom device driver for each device you use or each software package you write has allowed us to focus on the heart of the application.

So, while old computer programmers couldn't match today's applications primarily because of the technological advancements and the learning curve that comes with new UI standards, the evolution of programming has laid the groundwork for the rich, modern applications we enjoy today.

Key Takeaways:

UI styling and thread blocking are crucial aspects of modern applications. The late 80s/early 90s lacked the power for modern applications, leading to clunky interfaces. UI libraries have been created and refined to make modern design easier. Technological advancements have allowed for the development of complex applications. Standardization has allowed for more focus on solving real problems rather than reinventing the wheel.

Keywords: programming languages, modern application, user interface