# Gary Kildall

> American computer scientist and entrepreneur (1942–1994)

**Wikidata**: [Q92627](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q92627)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Kildall)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gary-kildall

## Summary
Gary Kildall was an American computer scientist and entrepreneur best known for creating the CP/M operating system, which became the dominant operating system for microcomputers in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He also developed PL/M, a high-level programming language for Intel microprocessors, and founded Digital Research, Inc. to commercialize his software innovations.

## Biography
- Born: May 19, 1942, in Seattle, Washington
- Nationality: United States
- Education: University of Washington; Queen Anne High School
- Known for: Creating CP/M operating system and PL/M programming language
- Employer(s): Naval Postgraduate School (faculty), Digital Research, Inc. (founder)
- Field(s): Computer science, software engineering

## Contributions
Gary Kildall created CP/M (Control Program for Microcomputers) in 1974, which became the first widely used operating system for personal computers and dominated the market before MS-DOS emerged. He developed PL/M (Programming Language for Microcomputers) in 1973, a high-level programming language specifically designed for Intel microprocessors that enabled more efficient software development for embedded systems. As founder of Digital Research, Inc., Kildall commercialized these technologies and became a pioneer in the microcomputer software industry. His work established fundamental concepts for personal computer operating systems, including file systems, command-line interfaces, and device drivers that influenced subsequent operating system designs.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Gary Kildall most famous for?
A: Gary Kildall is most famous for creating CP/M, the first popular operating system for personal computers, which dominated the microcomputer market in the late 1970s before being displaced by MS-DOS.

### Q: Did Gary Kildall miss the opportunity to supply IBM with an operating system?
A: Yes, Kildall's company Digital Research missed a meeting with IBM in 1980 when he was unavailable, leading IBM to instead license MS-DOS from Microsoft, which significantly altered the trajectory of the personal computer industry.

### Q: What was Gary Kildall's educational background?
A: Kildall earned degrees from the University of Washington and taught computer science at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, while pursuing his entrepreneurial ventures.

## Why They Matter
Gary Kildall's creation of CP/M established the template for personal computer operating systems and created the first viable software ecosystem for microcomputers. His operating system enabled the development of application software, file management, and peripheral device support that became standard features in all subsequent personal computers. Without CP/M, the personal computer revolution might have been delayed by years, as it provided the essential software infrastructure that made microcomputers practical for business and personal use. His PL/M language also advanced embedded systems programming, influencing how software was developed for microprocessor-based devices. Kildall's entrepreneurial approach to software development helped establish the commercial software industry, demonstrating that software could be a valuable product separate from hardware.

## Notable For
- Created CP/M, the first widely adopted operating system for personal computers
- Developed PL/M, a pioneering high-level programming language for microprocessors
- Founded Digital Research, Inc., one of the first successful software companies
- Established fundamental operating system concepts still used today
- Influenced the early personal computer industry before the rise of MS-DOS

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Gary Arlen Kildall was born on May 19, 1942, in Seattle, Washington. He attended Queen Anne High School before pursuing higher education at the University of Washington, where he developed his foundational knowledge in computer science and engineering.

### Career and Innovations
Kildall began his professional career as a faculty member at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, while simultaneously working on software projects that would define his legacy. In 1973, he created PL/M (Programming Language for Microcomputers), a high-level programming language specifically designed for Intel microprocessors. This language enabled more efficient and reliable software development for embedded systems and microprocessor-based applications.

In 1974, Kildall developed CP/M (Control Program for Microcomputers), which became the first operating system to achieve widespread adoption on personal computers. CP/M introduced critical concepts including file systems, command-line interfaces, and device drivers that became standard in personal computing. His company, Digital Research, Inc., commercialized these technologies and became a major player in the emerging microcomputer software industry.

### Industry Impact and Legacy
Kildall's work established the foundation for personal computer operating systems and created the first viable software ecosystem for microcomputers. CP/M's architecture and concepts directly influenced subsequent operating systems, including MS-DOS. His entrepreneurial approach to software development helped establish the commercial software industry, demonstrating that software could be a valuable product separate from hardware.

### Later Years and Death
Gary Kildall died on July 11, 1994, in Monterey, California, at the age of 52. The cause of death was listed as injury, with the manner of death classified as accidental. He is buried at Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park in Seattle.

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## References

1. Find a Grave
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Habr](https://habr.com/ru/companies/timeweb/articles/824154/)
4. [Source](https://archive.org/details/GaryKild)