Paul, What about machine specific manuals, so for example the Manchester MK1 programming manual, the second edition of which is archived here:-
https://web.archive.org/web/20090526192456/http://www.computer50.org/kgill/m ark1/progman.html In fact I expect that first book refers specifically to EDSAC, so is in effect machine specific. There must have been similar manuals for other machines? I know there is a Ferranti Pegasus Programming manual, the copy I have is dated 1962 but as the last Pegasus was produced in 1959 there must have been earlier editions. Dave > -----Original Message----- > From: cctech <cctech-boun...@classiccmp.org> On Behalf Of Paul Birkel via > cctech > Sent: 20 June 2021 09:44 > To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic Posts' <cct...@classiccmp.org> > Subject: Early Programming Books > > I know of two early computer (in the stored program sense) programming > books. > > > > 1951: Preparation of Programs for an Electronic Digital Computer (Wilkes, > Wheeler, & Gill) > > 1957: Digital Computer Programming (McCracken) > > > > What others were published prior to the McCracken text? > > > > Excluded are lecture compendia and symposia proceedings, such as: > > > > 1946: Moore School Lectures > > 1947: Proceedings of a Symposium on Large-Scale Digital Calculating > Machinery > > 1951: Proceedings of a Second Symposium on Large-Scale Digital Calculating > Machinery > > 1953: Faster Than Thought, A Symposium On Digital Computing Machines > > > > These were principally about designs for, and experience with, new > hardware. > > > > I'm curious about texts specifically focused on the act of programming. > Were there others prior to McCracken? > > > > paul > >