The Last One
Original author(s)David James
Developer(s)D.J. "AI" Systems
Initial release1981 (1981)
TypeProgramming language

The Last One is a computer program released in 1981 by the British company D.J. "AI" Systems.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Now obsolete, it took input from a user and generated an executable program in the BASIC computer language.

The software was a program generator, as distinct from an actual programming language, as programs were generated by the user selecting options from menus that would form the basis of the generated code. This was done in a logical sequence that would eventually cause a program to be generated in BASIC. At any time, the user could elect to view a flow chart showing the current progress of the program's design.[10]

The program was available on various different computer platforms of the time.

Example

An example of a program to sort the names in a Christmas Card list in alphabetical order:

1. OPEN FILE <XMASLIST>
2. SET POINTER TO START OF FILE
3. SORT FILE
4. INPUT FROM FILE
5. IF END OF FILE REACHED BRANCH TO 8
6. OUTPUT DATA
7. UNCONDITIONAL BRANCH TO 4
8. TERMINATE

References

  1. ↑ "Tlo Consultants, The Last One, www.tloconsultants.com, Scotty, TLO, tloconsultants, TimeBase, MTM". Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved March 14, 2009.
  2. ↑ A terminal case for programmers, New Scientist, 13 Aug 1981, Page 410, ..Its creator is David James, a bankrupt former millionaire with only a week's formal training in computers. In partnership with Scotty Bambury, a Somerset tyre dealer...
  3. ↑ First Look at the Last One - Program That Writes Programs, By Bill Burns, InfoWorld, 25 May 1981, Page 7, ...David James, the program's author says that he named it The Last One because 'it's the last human-produced program that needs to be written'...
  4. ↑ Computer expert system spares time for a chat, New Scientist, 22 Jan 1981, Page 214, Two men from Ilminster, Somerset..
  5. ↑ 'The Last One' About to be Released, Says DJ 'AI', By Paul Freiberger, InfoWorld, 28 Sep 1981, Page 1
  6. ↑ The Last One Is a First, By David Tebbutt, InfoWorld, 16 Mar 1981, Page 14
  7. ↑ THE LAST ONE, by David Tebbutt, Personal Computer World 02/81
  8. ↑ history - What became of 'The last one'? - Stack Overflow
  9. ↑ Development of The Last One (paper) - British program generator, By David Tebbutt, Editor of Personal Computer World magazine
  10. ↑ Bits & Bytes, Page 133, By William J. Hawkins, Popular Science, November 1982
Notes
  • THE LAST ONE Trademark - Registration Number 1218969 - Serial Number 73318733 :: Justia Trademarks
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