# Sverre Hvammen Johansen > Norwegian programmer **Wikidata**: [Q113172333](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113172333) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sverre-hvammen-johansen ## Summary Sverre Hvammen Johansen is a Norwegian computer scientist and programmer known for his contributions to the GNU Project. He is the maintainer of GNU Cim and authored a significant academic thesis on the development of portable Simula systems using the C programming language. ## Biography - **Born:** August 22, 1962 - **Nationality:** Norwegian - **Education:** University of Oslo (Thesis: *Et portabelt Simula-system bygget på C*, 1987) - **Known for:** Maintenance of GNU Cim and contributions to the GNU Project - **Employer(s):** University of Oslo, Birdstep Technology (commenced 2001) - **Field(s):** Computer science, software engineering, programming ## Contributions Sverre Hvammen Johansen has made significant contributions to the field of programming languages, specifically regarding the Simula language. His most notable work is GNU Cim, a Simula compiler for which he serves as the primary maintainer. This project is a key component of the GNU Project, reflecting his long-standing involvement in the free software movement and his presence on the GNU Savannah platform. In 1987, he completed his academic thesis titled "Et portabelt Simula-system bygget på C" (A portable Simula system built on C) at the University of Oslo. This research was pivotal in developing methods to implement Simula using the C programming language to achieve greater system portability. Professionally, he served as a researcher from 1995 to 1997 and later joined Birdstep Technology in 2001. His technical expertise spans both academic research and industrial software engineering, focusing on the maintenance of legacy-compatible systems and the practical application of compiler theory. Through his maintenance of GNU Cim, he provides the infrastructure necessary for developers to continue using Simula in modern computing environments. ## FAQs ### Q: What is Sverre Hvammen Johansen's most notable software project? A: He is best known as the maintainer of GNU Cim, a compiler for the Simula programming language. This project is hosted as part of the GNU Project on the Savannah platform. ### Q: Where did Sverre Hvammen Johansen receive his education? A: He was educated at the University of Oslo, where he completed his thesis on portable Simula systems in 1987. ### Q: What professional roles has he held in the technology industry? A: He has worked as a researcher (1995–1997), a programmer, and an employee at Birdstep Technology starting in 2001. He has also been affiliated with the University of Oslo. ## Why They Matter Sverre Hvammen Johansen's work is significant due to his role in the maintenance and portability of the Simula programming language. By serving as the maintainer for GNU Cim, Johansen ensures that this specific implementation remains a functional part of the GNU Project. His 1987 thesis, "Et portabelt Simula-system bygget på C," addressed the technical challenge of creating a portable Simula system by utilizing the C programming language. This work provided a framework for Simula to be implemented across different computing environments, enhancing the language's reach and longevity. His long-standing membership in the GNU Project and his role as a maintainer highlight his commitment to the sustainability of open-source software and the preservation of specialized programming tools. His career trajectory, moving from academic research at the University of Oslo to the industrial sector at Birdstep Technology starting in 2001, illustrates the bridge between theoretical computer science and practical software engineering. Through his ongoing maintenance of GNU Cim and his early research into portable systems, Johansen has contributed to the technical infrastructure that allows for the continued study and use of Simula-based systems in both academic and industrial contexts. ## Notable For * **GNU Cim Maintainer:** Serving as the official maintainer for the GNU Project's Simula compiler. * **Portability Research:** Authoring the 1987 thesis "Et portabelt Simula-system bygget på C," which explored C-based implementations of Simula. * **GNU Project Membership:** Active contributor to the free software community with a long-standing account on GNU Savannah. * **Academic and Industrial Career:** Holding research and engineering positions at the University of Oslo and Birdstep Technology. ## Body ### Academic Background and Research Sverre Hvammen Johansen attended the University of Oslo, where he focused on computer science. In 1987, he produced his academic thesis, *Et portabelt Simula-system bygget på C*. This work investigated the creation of a Simula system that could be easily ported to different platforms by building it upon the C programming language. From 1995 to 1997, he continued his work in the academic sphere as a researcher. ### Professional Career Johansen's professional career includes both academic and industrial roles. He has been an employer of the University of Oslo. In 2001, he joined Birdstep Technology, an industrial software firm. His roles have included: * Researcher (1995–1997) * Programmer * Software Engineer ### GNU Project and Open Source Johansen is a recognized member of the GNU Project. He is the maintainer of GNU Cim, a project dedicated to the Simula programming language. He manages this work through the GNU Savannah platform under the user alias "cim." His involvement in the GNU Project emphasizes his role in the maintenance of free software and compiler technology. ### Personal and Language Skills Born on August 22, 1962, Johansen is a Norwegian citizen and has resided in Rykkinn. He is proficient in both Norwegian and English, allowing him to contribute to both local academic environments and international open-source projects. ## References 1. [GNU's Who](https://www.gnu.org/people/people.html#s) 2. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20030714003148fw_/http://heim.ifi.uio.no/~sj/cv.html) 3. [Source](https://savannah.gnu.org/users/cim) 4. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20030501141207/http://heim.ifi.uio.no/~sj/)