Same thing, from a different direction
Not: How do we go about this?Rather: How did this happen?Unfortunate biographical orientation
1970s: Programming as it once was
Library school class: PL/I on punch cards, on mainframe
First job: PL/I (on my own)Basics of programming (variables,
structure)
1980s: Technological advances
IBM PC with 2 5-1/4" floppy drives (MS-DOS; program/data)
Built-in BASIC (start computer with no DOS)
IBM dual-floppy PC
Courtesy Ruben de Rijcke
Next library
Mentioned programming in interview"We need to do something about
acquisitions"Purchased a stand-alone PC, backup
system (VHS tape!)New programming language: dBase IIIA year later: acquisitions system
IBM PC as OCLC terminal: opportunity
Save screen image as a file on floppy, then process
First: transfer bib data into acquisitions system
Second: convert authority records into authority and cross-reference cards
Third: create new MARC authority records, print more cards
Skills acquired
Several programming languagesRelational database structure Intimate understanding of MARC
formatsProcessing of authority data
Authority cards lead to next job
Authorities librarianCollaborate with ISDO (NOTIS)Pulled into ISDOEventually 1/2 and 1/2 (ISDO and
authorities)
ISDO: Sink or swim
Learn IBM 360 assemblerFirst program: Batch corrections Indexing improvements, etc.
Post-ISDO
Interact with NOTIS via terminal emulator; programming interface
Windows programmingLearn another language (VB)Authority record creationCataloger's toolkit
Post-NOTIS
VoyagerLearn: Oracle, SQL, PL/SQL Interact with Voyager via ODBC and
(later) programming interfaceSpine labels, cataloger’s toolkit,
loaders (including authority loader), etc., etc.
Recent things
Numerous XML flavorsMore languages: .NET family; Java
Looking ahead
Next system: new ground rulesProbably web clients, not local clients Interfaces rather than direct access
[?]New environments and languagesRuby, Hydra, etc.
What are the themes?
Change is constant, and acceleratingProgramming best done by people
who know the materialGrow in-house expertise
What are the themes?
Details can be learnedTrade production for other valuable
thingsSupport staff in learning new stuffFormal training, self-instruction,
consultants; etc.
What are the themes?
Best project: something that you’re interested in doing anyway
Questions?