Software Programming
Looking at software programming today is not the same as looking at it in 1990. When I first became interested in computer science, I was in middle school and about 12 years old. There weren't many computers around at the time, and the only way to get one was to be a member of the town's Cultural Club.
I wasn't yet old enough to make a decision about my future career path, but I knew I had a natural affinity for mathematics, physics, and art. As a result, I was particularly intrigued by two problems that a computer could assist me with:
1. Remember more details!
2. Calculate more quickly!
Waww! This was what I saw as an incredible capability that I needed more than anything else...
Sakhr MSX
Ténès' Cultural Center housed a few computers, primarily three or four Sakhr MSX machines like the one shown below:
These computers were, in fact, only the central unit and the keyboard, which we could connect to a standard TV screen, and which provided the following options:
1 - Calendar
2 - Painter
3 - Arabic Typing
4 - English Typing
5 - MSX1-Sakhr BASIC Programing Language
Reduced functionalities
So, we could basically show a calendar, draw and paint pictures, type texts in different characters, and, most importantly, create programs using the well-known Basic Language.
It was amazing to me to realize that once I learned how to communicate with the computer (by learning a programming language), I would be able to give him orders (instructions), and he would do exactly what I wanted: make full use of the Saving and Quick Calculating capabilities! This was a fascinating read.
My First Reward!
Later, the Cultural Center in Ténès acquired a HERMES PC H140 running one of the old versions of MS-DOS, and we were able to install Basic by using Floppy-Disks 5"1/4 and later 3"1/2.
It started with just BASIC, and then we got versions like GW-BASIC, Q-BASIC, and the fantastic TURBO BASIC, which has the incredible ability to not only compile and execute basic programs, but also to generate an EXE file! It was a lot of fun!
In 1994, I received my first award for the best software written in the BASIC language, and they included additional congratulations for my success in the Baccalaureate exam, which allowed me to be admitted to the Polytechnical University in Algiers.
F.E.M
We had a Computer Science course at university in Pascal and Fortran Language that I found boring...and the reason for that is that at an Engineers University, the course was designed to prepare students to make computer calculations for the purpose of the Final Graduation Memoires. This bore me because I was more advanced in programming and more drawn to creative programming. At the very least, I received the highest marks.
In my fifth university Civil Engineering class, I discovered for the first time the possibility of combining computer capabilities with my other operational requirements.
I used a simulation with Finite Elements Methods to study the behavior of an isolated Foundation placed on the Soil. It was possible to simulate the behavior of materials that, due to their complexity, escape the linear facility of mechanics by using 8-node quadrilateral elements and performing all the intermediate calculations of Jacobians and Stiffness Matrices, so we were talking about the geometric non-linearity of soil-foundation contact problems. In this case, UNIX supercomputers had to run all night in order to retrieve the calculation results the next day. We, the young and impatient, didn't understand why we had to wait so long for the results of mathematical calculations that, in theory, should not take so long.
In the calculation center, Professor Zeghlèche smiled and said, "If you're impatient, don't hesitate to do it by hand (lol)." That's when I firmly fixed the principle in my mind: whatever I did next in my life, the computer would be my faithful companion to solve the problems of information processing time and data backup.
So I wanted to do better; I wanted to combine the results of the FORTAN calculation of the FEM with a BASIC program that could collect the results in a Sequential Access File, which were then interpreted in a Graphical Shape. I could give the numbers a shape; it was a lot of fun. And as a result, I received an Engineer Graduation with Distinction.
Power of mathematics
One more idea began to percolate: the use and power of Mathematics in the entire process. Because we need to use calculations a lot while programming, so solving functions, changing geometric references, and playing with Matrixes all had to be mastered quickly.
So, at this point, it was already a combination of computer capabilities and mathematics or analytics to solve the various problems.
By transitioning from the world of studies to the world of work, I began to encounter many of these problems and situations where I could combine Computer Programming with my primary job tasks.
In 2001, while working at the company GENI-SIDER (GESI-TP), I was a little perplexed...because the company had a complete BRANCH called GESI-INFO; that had only one function; use a battery of old HP computers running still with punched cards processed in COBOL language, and monochrom screens to issue Salary Sheets; Analytic Accounting, and invoiced these services to the company Group at ridiculous prices; despite the fact that I had already upgraded As a result, what the company was doing appeared primitive to me.
That is why I created a software in DELPHI Language for the company GESI-TP that could manage the entire Formworks Stock (mixed of many brands and types).
VBA code
2003 As a Technical Manager at the BATIMETAL GROUP, I learned VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) and used it frequently to extend the Microsoft Office possibilities in Excel, for example, with Macros. as well as extending Autocad's capabilities with the Auto-LISP programming language
2004 inspired by the TIPOS formwork planning from DOKA the formwork world leader, I made my TIPOS called CALEPIN 2D and 3D to plan a Swiss Formwork system called COFFOR.
How can Software Programming Boost your Management Capabilities?
And while doing so, I was creating new software:
• M&C complete company ERP system, including bookkeeping, accounting, human resources, and so on, similar to a smaller SAP.
• WIZARA was a piece of software developed by the Ministry of Industry to manage the Industrials Data Base.
• SORA is a photo editing software that is similar to a younger Photoshop.
• DAVER and SAVER, which I still use today, are Document Management Programs, with SAVER having a special Business Cards Module.
• CFS stands for customer follow-up system.
• GENIUS is a problem-solving software for manufacturing extrusion.
And one of my proudest accomplishments from 2015 to 2018 was developing a complete solution for the concrete precast business using SCT software.
SCT was a crazy full of possibilities software capable of treating Concrete Precast needs including WET and DRY, Electrical and Equipments; Offers Calculations; Simulations; Return on Investment Studies...etc. A pipe dream for a group of calculation and estimation engineers who needed nearly a month to complete the entire loop before they could submit an offer. SCT, on the other hand, produced a 95 percent realistic simulation in 15 minutes.
All of these examples may have led you to believe that I am a Computer Software Developer, but I am not! I was only trying to build up Softwares to improve my work performance while performing my daily functions in the jobs I got.
When I was working, I was in charge of a lot of things.
I was always irritated by two things when I worked, especially in management positions:
1- Having to do mechanical repetitive tasks: I prioritized conceptual thinking all the time, and as soon as a repetitive task was discovered, I wanted to delegate it to my best friend: the PC.
2- The waste of time: doing tasks manually that could be done in much less time if given to my best friend: the PC.
Until today...
I still do this today; whenever I notice repetitive and time-consuming tasks, I start a new project in my spare time to build the Repetitiveness and Time Consuming Killing Solution!
In fact, today, just as I would advise a good manager to be a good lawyer because a management function rarely escapes to legal work, such as contracts and disputes, I would include software programming in any Business Administration Academic Course.
I have completely explained my fascination with the possibility of influencing the computer; telling him what to do and what not to do; and getting its reaction in a logical and structured way, but after many years of programming, an opposite effect will occur; as computer programming has a tendency to shape you somehow; and to try to make out of you a structured and logical analytic machine who cannot accept wrong statements and treats nearly everything in an analytic manner.
However, even if, in the end, you must find the true balance between the human-to-human relationship, admitting all of the range of emotional mistakes, and dealing with nonlogical operations: giving input data and receiving nothing in return, treating repetitiveness in an inefficient manner, spending a lot of time on operations that could be done much faster: learning Software Programming can still significantly boost your management capabilities.
dec.
2021
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