Friedrich Bauer

Updated: 12/31/2020 by Computer Hope
Friedrich Bauer

Name: Friedrich Ludwig Bauer

Born: June 10, 1924, in Regensburg, Germany

Death: March 26, 2015 (Age: 90)

Computer-related contributions

  • German computer scientist and professor emeritus at Technical University of Munich.
  • Known for inventing the stack data structure, Sequential Formula Translation, and ALGOL.
  • First to propose the widely used stack method of expression evaluation. Helped develop the imperative computer programming languages ALGOL 58 and its successor ALGOL 60. Both were important predecessors to all modern imperative programming languages.
  • Bauer coined the term Software Engineering and was an influential figure in establishing computer science as an independent subject in German universities.

Significant publications

  • Introduction to Algol (1964).
  • Decrypted Secrets: Methods and Maxims of Cryptology (2006).

Honors and awards

  • Honorary Member of the Society for computer science (1987).
  • IEEE Computer Pioneer Award (1988).
  • Heinz-Maier-Leibnitz Medal from the Technical University of Munich (1997).
  • Corresponding member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (1988).
  • Silver Medal of Merit of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences (2004).
  • Friedrich L. Bauer Prize for computer science at the TU Munich.