Written by: Lisa Chang

Peter Naur: The Pioneer Behind the Backus-Naur Form

Known for his groundbreaking contributions to computer science, Peter Naur is the Danish pioneer who, alongside John Backus, developed the Backus-Naur Form (BNF) notation used to describe the syntax of most programming languages. Additionally, he played a crucial role in creating the ALGOL 60 language, a significant milestone in the history of computer science.

Early Life and Career

Born on October 25, 1928, in Denmark, Peter Naur began his academic journey in astronomy, earning his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in 1957. However, his encounter with computers led to a shift in his profession, and he eventually became a prominent figure in the field of computer science.

Contributions to Computer Science

Naur's work spanned multiple areas, including design, structure, and performance of computer programs and algorithms. He was also a pioneer in software engineering and software architecture. His book, Computing: A Human Activity, published in 1992, showcased his collection of contributions to computer science and rejected the formalist school of programming that views programming as a branch of mathematics.

The Backus-Naur Form (BNF)

The BNF notation, developed by Naur and Backus, revolutionized the way programming languages were described. This notation provides a concise and unambiguous way to specify the syntax of a programming language, making it easier to write compilers and interpreters. The BNF notation has become a standard tool in computer science, and its impact is still felt today.

ALGOL 60 and Software Engineering

Naur played a significant role in the development of ALGOL 60, a programming language that introduced several innovations, including recursive procedures, dynamic arrays, and nested blocks. His work on ALGOL 60 led to significant advancements in software engineering, making it easier to develop and maintain large software systems.

Awards and Recognition

For his outstanding contributions to computer science, Naur was awarded the prestigious Turing Award in 2005. This award is considered the "Nobel Prize of Computing" and is given annually by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).

Personal Life and Later Years

Naur was married to Christiane Floyd, a computer scientist in her own right. He passed away on January 3, 2016, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence the world of computer science.

Influence and Legacy

Throughout his career, Naur made significant contributions to the field of computer science, shaping the way we write programming languages, develop software, and approach software engineering. His work continues to influence modern computing, and his legacy will be remembered for generations to come.

Quotes and Memorable Sayings

"I don't like being associated with the Backus-Naur form; I would prefer it to be called the Backus normal form."

Naur's humility and dedication to his craft are reflected in this quote, which highlights his modest approach to his achievements.

Trivia and Fun Facts

• Did you know that Naur suggested the term "datalogy" or "data science" instead of "computer science"? The term "datalogy" has been adopted in Denmark and Sweden!
• Naur was a member of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) and the editorial board for BIT Numerical Mathematics, a journal focused on numerical analysis.