Welcome to GRACE

Why GRACE?

GRACE stands as a tribute to one of computer science's most influential pioneers:Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper(1906-1992). But the name carries a deeper meaning that connects to how this tutoring system works.

Just as Grace Hopper believed in making technology accessible and empowering others to solve problems independently, this tutoring system is designed to help you learn—not just to give you answers.

Who Was Grace Hopper?

Grace Hopper was an extraordinary mathematician, computer scientist, and U.S. Navy rear admiral who fundamentally changed how we interact with computers. Here's why she matters to every computer science student today:

Revolutionary Contributions

1. Pioneer of Programming Languages

Grace Hopper was the first person to develop the theory of machine-independent programming languages. Before her work, programming was incredibly difficult—you had to write in machine code that was specific to each computer. She believed that programming should be accessible to more people, not just mathematicians.

2. Created the First Compiler (A-0)

By 1952, Hopper had developed what she called a "compiler"—a program that could translate English-like terms into machine code. When she showed people her working compiler, they didn't believe it was possible. She later recalled:

"Nobody believed that. I had a running compiler and nobody would touch it. They told me computers could only do arithmetic."

She proved them wrong.

3. Co-Created COBOL

Hopper led the development of FLOW-MATIC and was instrumental in creating COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) in 1959. COBOL was revolutionary because it used English words instead of mathematical symbols. This language isstill in use today, running critical systems in banking, government, and business around the world—over 60 years later!

4. Popularized the Term "Bug"

While working on the Harvard Mark II computer in 1947, Hopper's team found an actual moth stuck in a relay, causing a malfunction. They taped it into their logbook with the note "First actual case of bug being found." While the term "bug" existed before in engineering, Hopper helped popularize it in computing.

Her Philosophy: Teaching and Empowerment

One of Grace Hopper's most important legacies wasn't just what she built—it was how she empowered others. She said:

"The most important thing I've accomplished, other than building the compiler, is training young people. They come to me, you know, and say, 'Do you think we can do this?' I say, 'Try it.' And I back 'em up. They need that."

She was known for encouraging people to take risks, challenge assumptions, and think independently. She kept a clock that ran backward on her wall to remind herself and others:

"Humans are allergic to change. They love to say, 'We've always done it this way.' I try to fight that."

The Philosophy Behind Your GRACE Tutoring System

This tutoring system embodies Grace Hopper's spirit in how it approaches teaching:

We Don't Just Give You Answers—We Help You Learn

Just as Grace Hopper encouraged people to "try it" and supported them in finding their own solutions, GRACE is designed to:

• Guide you through problemsrather than solving them for you
• Ask you questionsthat help you think through the logic yourself
• Break down complex conceptsinto manageable pieces
• Encourage you to experimentand learn from mistakes
• Build your problem-solving skillsthat will serve you throughout your career

Why This Approach Matters

When you're simply given an answer, you might complete an assignment, but you won't develop the deeper understanding needed to tackle new, unfamiliar problems. Real learning happens when you struggle a bit, when you think critically, and when you construct understanding yourself.

Grace Hopper understood this. She didn't just write programs—she created tools that empowered others to program. She didn't keep knowledge to herself—she spent decades teaching and mentoring, always pushing people to think for themselves.

What to Expect

When you work with GRACE, expect to:

• Be asked "What do you think?" or "What have you tried?"
• Receive hints and guidance rather than complete solutions
• Be challenged to explain your reasoning
• Get feedback that helps you identify where your thinking needs adjustment
• Build genuine computational thinking skills

This might feel harder at first than just getting answers, but it's how you develop into a strong computer scientist who can tackle problems you've never seen before.

Grace Hopper's Lasting Impact

Grace Hopper received over 40 honorary degrees and numerous awards, including:

• The National Medal of Technology (1991)
• The Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016, posthumously)
• Ships, buildings, scholarships, and even supercomputers named in her honor
• The annual Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, the world's largest gathering of women technologists

Today, Nvidia's latest GPU architecture is called "Hopper," and a college at Yale University bears her name. Her legacy lives on in every line of high-level code we write.

Your Journey Starts Here

As you work with GRACE, remember that you're not just learning computer science—you're developing the same pioneering spirit that Grace Hopper embodied. She faced skepticism, broke barriers, and changed the world by thinking differently.

Now it's your turn. When GRACE asks you a question instead of giving you an answer, think of it as following in the footsteps of a true pioneer—someone who believed that the best way to learn is to try, to think, and to persevere.

Welcome to GRACE. Let's learn together.