F. David Boswell

Last updated
F. David Boswell
Born1956 (age 67–68)
NationalityCanadian
Occupation(s) Computer Scientist, software executive
Known forAwarded the J.W. Graham Medal in 2003

Franklin David Boswell (born c. 1956) is a Canadian computer scientist who was awarded the J.W. Graham Medal for his contributions to the field in 2003. [1] [2]

Contents

Biography

Boswell earned his undergraduate and Masters in Computer Science at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. While he was a student and after he earned his masters in 1980, Boswell worked under J. Wesley Graham, a senior Computer Scientist at the University of Waterloo, who had broadly managed teams at Waterloo that developed several widely used computer language compilers.

One of the first languages that was his design was the ″Waterloo Systems Language″, intended for systems programming, which introduced some new flow control constructs. [3]

Boswell worked in compiler design at the University of Waterloo's Computer Systems Group until 1988, when he was one of the founders of Watcom. [1] [2] Watcom's other products were written in the Waterloo Systems Language. [4] Watcom developed Watcom C and several other successful products until it was acquired by Powersoft in 1994 for $100 million. [5] [6] Powersoft was in turn acquired by Sybase and Boswell was made a Sybase vice-president. [1] [7]

In 1998 Boswell left Sybase and was one of the founders of LivePage, in Waterloo. [8] In 1999 Boswell was the President of LivePage when it merged or was acquired by Janna Systems, for $19 million.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "F. David Boswell: 2003 recipient of the J.W. Graham Medal". Faculty of Mathematics, University of Waterloo. Archived from the original on 2012-10-19. David held executive management positions with software companies ranging across the spectrum of growth stages, including LivePage Corporation, Sybase Inc., Powersoft Corporation and Watcom.
  2. 1 2 "Leading IT executive wins 2003 J. W. Graham Medal". University of Waterloo. 2003. Archived from the original on 2005-12-11. Retrieved 2012-12-17. After graduation, Boswell stayed on campus developing compilers and operating systems at the UW's Computer Systems Group and teaching in the computer science department (now the School of Computer Science). In 1988, Dave joined the management team of UW spin-off WATCOM Systems, which became recognized as an industry leader in PC development tools and database systems.
  3. ↑ F.D. Boswell (1982). Waterloo Systems Language. Watfac Pubs. ISBN   9780919884007 . Retrieved 2012-12-17.
  4. ↑ John Helliwell (1985-04-02). "Watcom Markets University Expertise". PC Magazine. p. 208. Retrieved 2012-12-17.
  5. ↑ Clyde H. Farnsworth (1994-04-13). "BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY; The Canadian Triangle Where High Tech Reigns". The New York Times . Archived from the original on 2015-05-26. Retrieved 2012-12-17. As head of the university's Computer Systems Group, Professor Graham founded the Watcom International Corporation to produce software he developed that makes it easier to learn computer programming. The software has been used by more than one million students worldwide.
  6. ↑ Shane Schick (2007-04-09). "U of Waterloo alumni look back on creator of Fortran variant: Wes Graham was critical to the development of popular WATFOR". IT Business. Archived from the original on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2012-12-17. This year the University of Waterloo will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of its computer science department. A key figure from those early days was J. Wesley Graham, a professor who led a team of students to create the Waterloo Fortran IV compiler, also known as WATFOR. Initially developed for the IBM 7040 computer in the summer of 1965, WATFOR later ran on the IBM 360/370, DEC PDP-11 and VAX machines, received rave reviews internationally and led to a spin-off company, WATCOM. Graham died in 1999.
  7. ↑ Mike Strathdee (1997-04-12). "Sybase has 'jewel' in Waterloo: World's seventh largest computer firm looks to division to turn around its fortunes". Kitchener Waterloo Record. p. E.1. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved 2012-12-17. Waterloo has also proved to be a great training ground for Sybase executives. Three former Watcom executives -- David Boswell, Craig Dynes and David Yach -- now hold senior management positions with Sybase in the U.S..
  8. ↑ Mike Strathdee (1999-09-21). "LivePage sold for $19M; Toronto's Janna Systems buys Waterloo software firm for cash, shares". Kitchener Waterloo Record. p. C.02. Retrieved 2012-12-17. LivePage president David Boswell will become executive vice- president of marketing for Janna, based out of the Bay area of California. Boswell described the two companies as being "a natural fit."[ dead link ]
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