RIP Dennis Ritchie 1941-2011

[Pheran]

An absolute giant in the computer field has left us - and I'm not talking about Steve Jobs (whose contributions were also important). Virtually every existing computing system is based on the language or technologies developed at least in part by Dennis Ritchie. For those unfamiliar, Dennis Ritchie invented the programming language 'C' and co-developed the Unix operating system with Ken Thompson.

Father Of C And UNIX, Dennis Ritchie, Passes Away At Age 70

main() {
  printf("Goodbye world\n");
  /* RIP dmr 1941-2011 */
}

 

[Platypus]

RIP, Dennis Ritchie, and thank you.

 

[swanysto]

Sad day. Thanks for everything......literally.

 

[Zargon]

Sad day. Thanks for everything......literally.

x2

 

[bradley]

Sadly, in an ostentatious world, someone like Steve Jobs is lauded, while the Wozniak's and Ritchie's go largely underrecognized. RIP

Since these things go in threes, I wonder who's next.

 

[SunnyD]

 

[Linflas]

Sadly, in an ostentatious world, someone like Steve Jobs is lauded, while the Wozniak's and Ritchie's go largely underrecognized. RIP

Since these things go in threes, I wonder who's next.

There is no finite amount of admiration to spread around, it is entirely possible to laud both men for entirely different contributions and accomplishments and this comes from someone that loathes Apple yet recognizes the talent that was Steve Jobs.

RIP Dennis.

 

[purbeast0]

i swear it seems like people are dying earlier and earlier now a days. 70 just does not seem that old.

then you got Dick Lebeau who is like 74 and looks like he's in his 50's.

 

[Miramonti]

That's one helluva contribution to modern society.

RIP Dennis Ritchie, and thanks for you brilliance and passion.

 

[bradley]

There is no finite amount of admiration to spread around, it is entirely possible to laud both men for entirely different contributions and accomplishments and this comes from someone that loathes Apple yet recognizes the talent that was Steve Jobs.

RIP Dennis.

I've said it before, without Woz Apple never begins, and without Jobs it would have ended long ago. However, far too much already has been attributed to Jobs -- with little known by Apple's fanbase of their actual history.

 

[Krazy4Real]

Sadly, in an ostentatious world, someone like Steve Jobs is lauded, while the Wozniak's and Ritchie's go largely underrecognized. RIP

This.

 

[eplebnista]

May he RIP.

 

[ultimatebob]

Grr... Engadget leaves the obituary of Steve Jobs on the front page for three days, but Dennis Ritchie's death only gets a small blurb in their alt section. Lame.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

I can't believe the creator of C's death has less impact than the death of a businessman.

It's so weird seeing the people responsible for the birth of modern computing all passing on.

 

[ultimatebob]

I can't believe the creator of C's death has less impact that a buisnessman.

It's so weird seeing the people responsible for the birth of modern computing all passing on.

Just just C, but UNIX as well.

You know... the operating system that practically every Apple product made in the past 10 years is based off of?

 

[William Gaatjes]

I can't believe the creator of C's death has less impact that a buisnessman.

It's so weird seeing the people responsible for the birth of modern computing all passing on.

Tech people rarely get the credit unless they are responsible for mass destruction. It is a strange but true reality. All those people who have contributed to make our life easier, are hardly known. Most because they feel they are just doing what they like and that is it.

RIP Dennis Ritchie.

Touched, to write(type) the first C program and a quality Operating system ...

 

[ViviTheMage]

This guy rocked, RIP.

 

[AstroManLuca]

RIP this guy:

:'(

 

[SKORPI0]

Steve Jobs, Dennis Ritchie, and .......... (since they come in threes).

 

[Linflas]

 

[William Gaatjes]

RIP this guy:

:'(

That is a funny comment on that picture ... :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

 

[alkemyst]

I can't believe the creator of C's death has less impact than the death of a businessman.

It's so weird seeing the people responsible for the birth of modern computing all passing on.

It's the way the world works.

It's sad to see C's creator die, but he probably stole as much as Jobs did (or anyone else in the field).

What I find hilarious though is how polarizing Jobs is in discussion. Most of the so called 'Apple experts' really have no clue. Loved my Apple //e in the mid 80's and the ][ and ][+'s in the computer labs in elementary and middle school even back then.

 

[freegeeks]

a giant has left us

may he RIP

 

[adlep]

His contribution to Computer Science can not be overstated. RiP

 

[Red Squirrel]

RIP.

Looks like he's now out of scope. Wonder if he can be spawned as a new process.