Dennis Ritchie

Dennis Ritchie
Dennis MacAlistair Ritchie

Dennis Ritchie, 1999 Born September 9, 1941 Bronxville, New York, U.S. October 12, 2011 (aged70) Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, U.S. Computer science Lucent Technologies Bell Labs Harvard University ALTRAN B BCPL C Multics Unix

Died

Fields Institutions

Alma mater Knownfor

Notable awards Turing Award National Medal of Technology

Dennis MacAlistair Ritchie (September 9, 1941 October 12, 2011),[1] [2] [3] [4] commonly known by his username dmr, was an American computer scientist notable for developing C and for having influence on other programming languages, as well as operating systems such as Multics and UNIX. He received the Turing Award from the ACM in 1983, the Hamming Medal from the IEEE in 1990 and the National Medal of Technology from President Clinton in 1999. Ritchie was the head of Lucent Technologies System Software Research Department when he retired in 2007.

Dennis Ritchie

Background
Ritchie was born in Bronxville, New York. His father was Alistair E. Ritchie, a longtime Bell Labs scientist and co-author of The Design of Switching Circuits on switching circuit theory. Ritchie graduated from Harvard University with degrees in physics and applied mathematics. In 1967, he began working at the Bell Labs Computing Sciences Research Center, and in 1968, he received a Ph.D. from Harvard under the supervision of Patrick C. Fischer.[5]

C and Unix
Ritchie was best known as the creator of the C programming language and a key developer of the UNIX operating system, and as co-author of the definitive book on C, The C Programming Language, commonly referred to as K&R (in reference to the authors Kernighan and Ritchie). Ritchie's invention of C and his role in the development of UNIX alongside Ken Thompson has placed him as an important pioneer of modern computing. The C language is widely used today in application, operating system, and embedded system development, and its influence is seen in most modern programming languages. UNIX has also been influential, establishing concepts and principles that are now precepts of computing. Ritchie was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1988 for "development of the "C" programming language and for co-development of the UNIX operating system."[6]

Ritchie enjoying conversation in a chalet in the mountains surrounding Salt Lake City at the 1984 Usenix conference.

Awards
Turing Award
In 1983, Ritchie and Thompson jointly received the Turing Award for their development of generic operating systems theory and specifically for the implementation of the UNIX operating system. Ritchie's Turing Award lecture was titled "Reflections on Software Research".[7]

IEEE Richard W. Hamming Medal

In 1990, both Ritchie and Thompson received the IEEE Richard W. Hamming Medal from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), "for the origination of the UNIX operating system and the C programming language".[8]

Thompson (left) and Ritchie (center) receiving the National Medal of Technology from President Clinton in 1999.

National Medal of Technology

Dennis Ritchie On April 21, 1999, Thompson and Ritchie jointly received the National Medal of Technology of 1998 from President Bill Clinton for co-inventing the UNIX operating system and the C programming language which together have led to enormous advances in computer hardware, software, and networking systems and stimulated growth of an entire industry, thereby enhancing American leadership in the Information Age.[9] [10]

Japan Prize
In 2011, Ritchie, along with Thompson, was awarded the Japan Prize for Information and Communications for the pioneering work in the development of Unix operating system.[11]

Death and legacy

Dennis Ritchie was found dead on October 12, 2011 at the age of 70 at his home in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey where he lived alone.[1] First news of his death came from his former colleague, Rob Pike.[2] [3] The cause and exact time of death have not been disclosed.[12] He had been in frail health for several years following treatment for prostate cancer and heart disease.[1] [13] [2] [14] His death, which came a week after the death of Steve Jobs, did not receive as much media coverage.[15] [16]

Bibliography
The C Programming Language (1978 with Brian Kernighan; see K&R) Unix Programmer's Manual (1971)

Quotes
"I am not now, nor have I ever been, a member of the demigodic party."[17] "Usenet is a strange place."[18] "UNIX is very simple, it just needs a genius to understand its simplicity."[19] "C is quirky, flawed, and an enormous success."[20]

References
[1] Lohr, Steve (October 12, 2011), "Dennis Ritchie, Programming Trailblazer, Dies at 70" The C Programming Language, first (http:/ / www. nytimes. com/ 2011/ 10/ 14/ technology/ edition. dennis-ritchie-programming-trailblazer-dies-at-70. html?hp), The New York Times, , retrieved October 13, 2011, "Dennis M. Ritchie, who helped shape the modern digital era by creating software tools that power things as diverse as search engines like Google and smartphones, was found dead on Wednesday at his home in Berkeley Heights, N.J. He was 70. Mr. Ritchie, who lived alone, was in frail health in recent years after treatment for prostate cancer and heart disease, said his brother Bill." [2] "Unix creator Dennis Ritchie dies aged 70" (http:/ / www. bbc. co. uk/ news/ technology-15287391). BBC News. 2011-10-13. . Retrieved 2011-10-14. "Pioneering computer scientist Dennis Ritchie has died after a long illness. ... The first news of Dr Ritchie's death came via Rob Pike, a former colleague who worked with him at Bell Labs. Mr Ritchie's passing was then confirmed in a statement from Alcatel Lucent which now owns Bell Labs." [3] Rob Pike (October 12, 2011), (untitled post to Google+) (https:/ / plus. google. com/ u/ 0/ 101960720994009339267/ posts/ ENuEDDYfvKP?hl=en#101960720994009339267/ posts/ ENuEDDYfvKP), , retrieved October 14, 2011, "I just heard that, after a long illness, Dennis Ritchie (dmr) died at home this weekend. I have no more information." [4] Campbell-Kelly, Martin (October 13, 2011), "Dennis Ritchie obituary" (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ technology/ 2011/ oct/ 13/ dennis-ritchie), The Guardian, , retrieved October 13, 2011, "Dennis MacAlistair Ritchie, computer scientist, born 9 September 1941; died 12 October 2011" [5] Dennis M. Ritchie (http:/ / genealogy. math. ndsu. nodak. edu/ id. php?id=155881) at the Mathematics Genealogy Project. [6] National Academy of Engineering : Members Directory Dr. Dennis M. Ritchie (http:/ / www. members. nae. edu/ nae/ naepub. nsf/ Members+ By+ UNID/ E1D7128BC73E8C0E8625755200622B73?opendocument)

Dennis Ritchie
[7] The ''Reflections on Software Research'' paper (http:/ / awards. acm. org/ images/ awards/ 140/ articles/ 2898606. pdf). (PDF) Retrieved on 2011-08-21. [8] "IEEE Richard W. Hamming Medal Recipients" (http:/ / www. ieee. org/ documents/ hamming_rl. pdf). IEEE. . Retrieved May 29, 2011. [9] Ritchie and Thompson [to] Get National Medal of Technology (http:/ / www. bell-labs. com/ news/ 1998/ december/ 9/ 1. html) Bell Labs pre-announcement [10] Ritchie and Thompson Receive National Medal of Technology from President Clinton (http:/ / www. bell-labs. com/ news/ 1999/ april/ 28/ 1. html) Bell Labs press release [11] Evangelista, Benny, "Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie win Japan Prize" (http:/ / www. sfgate. com/ cgi-bin/ article. cgi?f=/ c/ a/ 2011/ 01/ 24/ BUTI1HDJSA. DTL#ixzz1C5LtXdf3), San Francisco Chronicle, January 25, 2011 [12] Associated Press (October 13, 2011), "Summary Box: Dennis Ritchie, pioneer in computer programming at Bell Labs, dies at 70" (http:/ / www. washingtonpost. com/ business/ summary-box-dennis-ritchie-pioneer-in-computer-programming-at-bell-labs-dies-at-70/ 2011/ 10/ 13/ gIQAFKC7hL_story. html), The Washington Post, , retrieved October 14, 2011, "NOT KNOWN: Alcatel-Lucent confirmed his death to The Associated Press but would not disclose the cause of death or when Ritchie died." [13] Gallagher, Sean (13 October 2011). "Dennis Ritchie, Father of C and Co-Developer of Unix, Dies" (http:/ / www. wired. com/ wiredenterprise/ 2011/ 10/ dennis-ritchie/ ). . Retrieved 13 October 2011. [14] Binstock, Andrew. "Dennis Ritchie, in Memoriam" (http:/ / drdobbs. com/ cpp/ 231900742?cid=DDJ_nl_upd_2011-10-13_h). Dr. Dobb's Journal. Dr. Dobb's Journal. . Retrieved 14 October 2011. [15] Humphrey, Michael (10/14/2011). "The Inevitable Steve Jobs vs. Dennis Ritchie Discussion" (http:/ / www. forbes. com/ sites/ michaelhumphrey/ 2011/ 10/ 14/ the-inevitable-steve-jobs-vs-dennis-ritchie-discussion/ ). Forbes. . Retrieved 14 October 2011. [16] Mearian, Lucas (October 13, 2011). "Dennis Ritchie and Steve Jobs -- quite the juxtaposition" (http:/ / blogs. computerworld. com/ 19097/ dennis_ritchie_and_steve_jobs_quite_the_juxtaposition). Computer World. . Retrieved 14 October 2011. [17] "Google Groups : net.unix-wizards" (http:/ / groups. google. com/ group/ net. unix-wizards/ msg/ 1c9d2e4c341f9b41). 1984-03-13. . [18] "Google Groups : comp.lang.c" (http:/ / groups. google. com/ group/ comp. lang. c/ browse_frm/ thread/ d024a2f831f81e2c/ 465ede5dc776f39d?lnk=st& q=dmr+ group:comp. lang. c& rnum=4& hl=en#465ede5dc776f39d). 2006-08-23. . [19] "Brainy Quote.com" (http:/ / www. brainyquote. com/ quotes/ authors/ d/ dennis_ritchie. html). . [20] "The Development of the C Language" (http:/ / cm. bell-labs. com/ cm/ cs/ who/ dmr/ chist. html). .

External links
Dennis Ritchie's home page at Bell Labs (http://cm.bell-labs.com/cm/cs/who/dmr/) Biography (http://cm.bell-labs.com/cm/cs/who/dmr/bigbio1st.html) Bibliography (http://cm.bell-labs.com/cm/cs/bib2html/dmr.html) Transcript of an interview with Dennis Ritchie (http://www.princeton.edu/~mike/unixhistory) Interview by Michael S. Mahoney (http://www.princeton.edu/~mike/) Interview with Dennis M. Ritchie (http://www.linuxfocus.org/English/July1999/article79.html) By Manuel Benet (published in LinuxFocus.org in July 1999) Unix.se DMR interview published February 7. 2003 (http://unix.se/Interview_with_Dennis_Ritchie) Ritchie and Thompson Receive National Medal of Technology from President Clinton (http://www.bell-labs. com/news/1999/april/28/1.html) The future according to Dennis Ritchie LinuxWorld.com 12/4/00 (http://www.itworld.com/lw-12-ritchie) The Limbo Programming Language by Dennis M. Ritchie (http://doc.cat-v.org/inferno/4th_edition/ limbo_language/limbo) Works by or about Dennis Ritchie (http://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n77-18721) in libraries (WorldCat catalog) Dennis Ritchie (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=78320781) at Find a Grave

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Dennis Ritchie Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=455651803 Contributors: (, 7265, A3RO, AHinMaine, AMERICAN 1 ENGINEER, AgadaUrbanit, Akim Demaille, Alison, AlistairMcMillan, Amreshk, Andrewlp1991, Andrewphelps, AnonMoos, Arx Fortis, Asiananimal, Attilios, Austin Hair, Baudway, Bender235, Benlisquare, Bevo, Bgwhite, Blehfu, Bluesmoon, Bongomatic, Borism, Brest, Brynet, CanisRufus, Celosia, CharlotteWebb, Chris Burrows, Connormah, Conversion script, Cuvtixo, D6, DAGwyn, DARTH SIDIOUS 2, Daf, DagErlingSmrgrav, DaoKaioshin, Darolew, David Eppstein, David Gerard, David Glad, Daysleeper47, Denisarona, Dennycolt99, DiamondDave, Dingusheid, Djordjes, Dr.K., DrBeWa, Durval, Dylan Lake, Edward, Edward Vielmetti, Emijrp, Ems2, Enochlau, Epastore, FabianEng, Fastily, Ferengi, Firefishy, Flewis, Frecklefoot, Fredrik, Giftlite, Glane23, Graham87, GregorB, Grossenhayn, Harald Hansen, Hoshie, Hunterbdean, Hux, Hydrargyrum, Icairns, Ida Shaw, Indexme, Ivan Bajlo, Ivan tambuk, Ivoras, Jamsta, Janggeom, Janizary, Jason Recliner, Esq., Jatkins, Jauhienij, Jeff G., Jengelh, Jibal, Jim Michael, Johngouf85, Johnny Squeaky, Johnuniq, JohnyDog, Jontajonta, Kaczor, Kanags, Karantimes, Kiyokoakiyama, Klutzy, Koyaanis Qatsi, Kurykh, Lentower, Ligulem, Lillipeg, Lir, LongLiveMusic, Lost.goblin, Luisalvaradox, Lukep913, Lupin, MK8, Mani1, Materialscientist, Matkatamiba, MattGiuca, MatthewMastracci, Matusz, Mecanismo, Meshach, MikeVitale, Minesweeper, Mirror Vax, Mormegil, Mro, Msnicki, Mstone0802, Nanshu, NapoliRoma, Newmanbe, Nima Baghaei, Notyourhoom, Ntsimp, NuclearWarfare, Nuggetboy, Numbo3, Octahedron80, Oneiros, Ordalca, PRRfan, Pa36opob, PatrikR, Pauljerwin, Pavel Vozenilek, Piano non troppo, Pkivolowitz, Plasticup, Public Menace, RedWolf, Reisio, Resuna, Resurgent insurgent, Rich Farmbrough, Rl, Rpk512, Rtc, Ryo, Sakurambo, Sbmeirow, SchreyP, Semifreddo, Shmitra, Siddharth Prabhu, Sligocki, Smallman12q, Snoyes, SpecMode, Ssd, Starwindsurfer, Stassats, Stevekass, Stevey7788, Suruena, Svanslyck, Tabularoinak, Tbhotch, The Thing That Should Not Be, Tim Goodwin, Tommy2010, Toresbe, Trek001, Twas Now, Txmy, Ummit, Vanished User 0001, Vasiliy Faronov, VivaEmilyDavies, Wernher, Wikibofh, Wikiklrsc, William Avery, Wmahan, Xamian, Zigger, Zoicon5, , 241 anonymous edits

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File:Dennis MacAlistair Ritchie .jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Dennis_MacAlistair_Ritchie_.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Medal_lg.jpeg: Original uploader was Ems2 at en.wikipedia derivative work: Materialscientist (talk) File:Usenix84 3 Small.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Usenix84_3_Small.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: Perry Kivolowitz File:Medal lg.jpeg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Medal_lg.jpeg License: Public Domain Contributors: Original uploader was Ems2 at en.wikipedia Image:K&R C.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:K&R_C.jpg License: Fair Use Contributors: -

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