MAINFRAME

KLF Systems began long ago - before personal computers, cell phones and internet.
There were only mainframes. Each filled a room. Rather intimidating and yet.

The thrill of getting a computer to do what you want. That was the hook.
Programming required special logic. And a lot of patience it took.

Programmers typed their code into keypunch machines. The machines produced paper cards.
If you dropped your box of cards, you had to manually put them back in order - rather hard.

We got one “turnaround” a day to test a program and find out what was wrong.
Serious "bugs" gave a hexadecimal “core dump”. Your determination had to be strong.

Then one day keypunch machines disappeared and programmers got their own terminals.
This was the beginning of "real time" and the joy was quite palpable.

SQL Databases appeared on the scene, IMS then DB2, as they continued to evolve.
They required a large support staff but storage issues they indeed did solve.

Favorite project was developing a nation-wide vehicle tracking system for a major trucking company.
What fun to create it from nothing. And, best of all, it ran wonderfully.


PC's

After 20 years working on Mainframes, the “new guy on the block” got more appealing
PC’s were now being used for business applications. It gave me a good feeling.

Who knew that PC’s could handle SQL databases as well as Mainframes but with less “red-tape”.
No database department needed. You managed your own databases. I was agape.

For a developer, if you like to work independently, it doesn’t get any better.
Minimal meetings. Just keep the users happy and work without fetter.

Favorite project was developing a custom system for the headquarters of a well known fast food chain.
It boasted a 2 way Interface with their SAP Payroll system. Better control of retirement was their gain.


INTERNET

The internet and web sites could no longer be denied.
They grabbed us and took us on an incredible ride.

KLF jumped into web site development and found a new and exciting world
Programmers considered possibilities as new ideas unfurled.

At first, a "table" structure was used for coding web sites. Clean and simple but not real flexible.
Then came CSS and a whole new way of looking at site design. Everything became quite "mixable".

SQL databases were still a big part of the scene so something old remained.
Data was stored the same old way. All that was required was a slight retrain.

Favorite project was creating the web site for an annual pediatric conference given by a major medical school.
Conference lectures were posted online for CME credit and tests automatically graded - quite cool.


APPS

Last but not least, came the ever expanding universe of Phone Apps. Is anyone not creating one?
KLF, though “inactive” today, is coding an iPhone App and having lots of "fun".

SQL databases still abound. For Apple, they're the "backend" of Core Data, their "work horse" of many years.
Coding an App is different and complex. But it's exciting and worthy of cheers and maybe a few tears.

Update 2024: it's in the App Store! Check out "ListUrWay"