Bertrand Meyer
Bertrand Meyer is one of the most influential scholars in software engineering. His contributions to the development of object-oriented programming, the development of the language, Eiffel and the promotion of robust programming have significantly impacted modern programming and the development of complex software systems.
Birth of Eiffel Software and Contribution to Software Engineering
In 1985, Bertrand Meyer founded ISE (Interactive Software Engineering), later renamed Eiffel Software. Under his leadership, the company developed language compilers Eiffel and a robust object-oriented development environment, which became available on various platforms. Eiffel Software is engaged in tool development and educational and consulting activities, supporting projects created in the language Eiffel.
The Eiffel language is mainly used in areas critical to software reliability, such as the financial sector, military, and aerospace. Its basic principle is to create reliable and understandable code, thanks to the concept of Design by Contract, which was Meyer’s significant contribution to programming theory.
Research and Teaching at ETH Zurich
In 2003, Bertrand Meyer succeeded the legendary Niklaus Wirth as Chair of Software Engineering at ETH Zurich (Switzerland). He continues to head the Department of Computer Science chair, training new generations of developers and researchers in the programming field.
Publications and Contributions to the Development of Programming
Bertrand Meyer is the author of nine books and more than 250 scientific papers covering various software engineering topics. His books and articles cover the topics of object-oriented programming, software architecture, and methods for improving the reliability of software systems.
He was also a long-time organizer of the TOOLS (conference) Technology of Object-Oriented Languages and Systems, one of the key events in object-oriented programming.
Awards and Recognition
In 2005, Bertrand Meyer became the first recipient of the Dala-Nigard Award for his services to the world developer community. The award was established in honor of the creators of Simula, considered the forefather of object-oriented programming languages.
Bertrand Meyer is an outstanding scientist, teacher, and developer who contributed significantly to the development of object-oriented programming and continues to actively work on new methods for improving software reliability and quality. His ideas and writings have influenced modern technologies and helped create reliable, scalable software systems in many critical industries.