Frances E. Allen was an American computer scientist at IBM who pioneered the theory and practice of optimizing compilers, developing techniques including data flow analysis and loop optimization that let a compiler automatically rewrite code to run faster without changing what it computes, methods that remain central to compiler design today. She was the first woman named an IBM Fellow, and in 2006 she became the first woman to win the Turing Award.
Facts
AwardAnita Borg Institute Women of Vision Awards 2 AwardComputer History Museum Fellow 2 AwardProgramming Languages Achievement Award 2 AwardFellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences 2 AwardWomen in Technology Hall of Fame 2 AwardKaren Spärck Jones Lecture 2 Awardhonorary doctorate from the University of Alberta 2 FAQs
Why did Frances Allen go to work at IBM?
She joined IBM to pay off her college loans and stayed for 45 years.
She took the job to earn the money she needed to pay off her college loans. Before that she had taught practical math at a small rural high school in Peru, New York. She planned to work at IBM for a couple of years and then return to teaching, but she found something she loved even more there, great people, and she stayed for 45 years.
What did Frances Allen study?
She earned bachelor's and master's degrees in mathematics.
Frances Allen studied mathematics. She earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1954 from Albany State Teacher's College and a master's degree, also in mathematics, in 1957 from the University of Michigan.
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Sources
1. Wikipedia: Frances Allen
Wikimedia FoundationLead section
Frances Elizabeth Allen (August 4, 1932 - August 4, 2020) was an American computer scientist and pioneer in the field of optimizing compilers.
- In Field: Programming Language Theory, Lead paragraph
View the Source 2. Wikidata: Frances E. Allen
- Wikidata Q9602, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
- Wikidata Q9602, resolved via en.wikipedia pageprops (wave rule R-L)
- Wikidata Q9602 P569 (date of birth)
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