the Story of Mel

programming

A 1983 Usenet poem about Mel Kaye, a programmer who wrote code so close to the machine it defied the idea of ever rewriting it.

Ed Nather's tribute describes Mel optimizing by placing instructions where the drum memory would rotate to them at just the right moment, and refusing to add a feature that would let the boss cheat at a demo. It is the field's fondest portrait of the "real programmer", equal parts admiration and warning.

Also known as: Mel, Mel Kaye, real programmer

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