ThoughtFactory.CreateThought() A random collection of thoughts from an easily bored developer

Historical Tomes

It recently occurred to me that I have a rather large collection of technical books. A few years back I acquired the cast-offs of numerous university lecturers who had moved on to bigger and better things (apparently functional programming and early OO research were no longer impressive points of discussion for dinner parties and barbeques), and from there my collection has grown.

Of all the books on my various book shelves there is one particular tome that immediately stands out. That book is the "American National Standard for Information Systems - Programming Language - COBOL". Yes, somehow I've managed to acquire a copy of the specification for ANS COBOL that was approved in 1985. It is the size of a phone book, handily bound and a surely a riveting read. It is a serious crime that its stunning narrative and dry wit have not ensured its place at the top of Oprah's recommended reading list.

Ok, so perhaps I am "enhancing the truth" (or flat out lying) somewhat. Yet, like a car crash, I can't look away. I am eager to begin leafing through its pages, trying to find some nugget of wisdom that will enlighten the masses and lead us all to the promised land. At the very least I'd hope for a few pages of semi-interesting text on a subject I know nothing about.

Or perhaps not.