A programming tool is a program or application that software developers use to create, debug, or maintain other programs and applications. The term usually refers to relatively simple programs that can be combined together to accomplish a task, much as one might use multiple hand tools to fix a physical object.

The history of software tools began with the first computers in the early 1950s that used linkers, loaders, and control programs. Tools became famous with Unix in the early 1970s with tools like grep, awk and make that were meant to be combined flexibly with pipes.

Tools were originally simple and light weight. As some tools have been maintained, they have been integrated into more powerful integrated development environments (IDEs). These environments can make searching and editing much easier, however they lack the ability to massage code, like old Unix tools.

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Yahoo Search Security Beta Draws Complaints
Thu, 15 May 2008 20:27:58 -0400
A company says Yahoo's new feature incorrectly flagged its Web site and was slow to respond.... We Love Virtual Appliances SpamTitan for VMware 99% Spam Detection, Kaspersky AV, Anti Phishing,30 Free Evaluation,Download Now
SEC to Propose XBRL Mandate
Thu, 15 May 2008 20:14:56 -0400
The SEC proposes that XBRL tags be required for all financial filings, making data searchable.... Attend WINDOWS EMBEDDED ACCELERATION WORKSHOPS Are you ready to learn how you can bring your next-generation embedded device to market faster?
Yahoo Allows Web Sites to Customize How Search Finds Them
Thu, 15 May 2008 20:00:16 -0400
A software development tool lets outside parties create customized views of Yahoo Web search results.... Custom Software Quote Custom Software Development. Get Free Quote.
Icahn Pledges Proxy Fight for Yahoo-Microsoft Merger
Thu, 15 May 2008 20:00:02 -0400
Carl Icahn threatens Yahoo's board with a proxy fight even though Microsoft has walked away from the Internet company.... $250 K First Year Too Good To Be True? Maybe For You. Only Serious Will Be Mentored.
HP Fixing XP SP3 Problems
Thu, 15 May 2008 19:09:57 -0400
The problems that were reported with Microsoft's Windows XP Service Pack 3 seem to affect Hewlett-Packard desktops with AMD processors.... Soft Ware Fix Free. Download Soft Ware Fix Tool. Download Now. Fast.

The Seattle Times: Business & Technology

Microsoft Windows finds a place on One Laptop Per Child machines
Thu, 15 May 2008 17:38:27 -0700
Microsoft and the One Laptop Per Child organization say the nonprofit's green-and-white "XO" computers now can run Windows in addition to their homegrown interface, which is built on the open Linux operating system.
Nordstrom profit sinks 24%, but better than analysts forecast
Thu, 15 May 2008 18:16:53 -0700
Luxury retailer Nordstrom said its profit fell 24 percent in the first quarter as recession rumblings in the U.S. crimped even wealthier consumers'...
SEC launches formal investigation of CellCyte
Thu, 15 May 2008 17:30:30 -0700
CellCyte, a Bothell-based biotechnology company, said Thursday the Securities and Exchange Commission has upgraded its probe of the company to a formal investigation.

NYT > Technology

Yahoo’s Chairman Disputes Icahn’s Accusations
Fri, 16 May 2008 03:18:30 -0000
Yahoo’s chairman rejected accusations from the billionaire investor Carl C. Icahn that the company’s board had acted irrationally in rejecting a $47.5 billion takeover offer from Microsoft.
CBS in Deal to Buy CNet to Increase Online Ads
Fri, 16 May 2008 03:35:00 -0000
At $1.8 billion, Thursday’s deal for CNet by CBS is the biggest by far in its recent Internet expansion, making the network bigger players in online media.
Microsoft Is Joining Low-Cost Laptop Project
Fri, 16 May 2008 03:18:30 -0000
After years of conflict, Microsoft and the computing and education project One Laptop Per Child, have reached an agreement that will put Windows on the organization’s computers.

CNN.com - Technology

Teen alleging rape turns to YouTube
Thu, 15 May 2008 14:59:58 -0400
The video is hard to turn away from. A sobbing 16-year-old sits in her bedroom and, staring into a camera, says she has been raped. The teen is among dozens of young people who are turning to social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace to talk about sexual assault.
Mom indicted in deadly MySpace hoax
Thu, 15 May 2008 15:29:02 -0400
Read full story for latest details.
Robotic suit amplifies human strength
Thu, 15 May 2008 14:38:00 -0400
Read full story for latest details.

NPR Topics: Technology

Investor Icahn Urges Yahoo-Microsoft Merger
Thu, 15 May 2008 06:00:00 -0400
After Microsoft withdrew its bid for Yahoo, it's been reported that billionaire Carl Icahn bought 50 million shares of Yahoo. Apparently, he wants to see the two companies merge, and he has even launched a proxy contest to get rid of Yahoo's entire board of directors.
Gaming Your Way to Fitness
Thu, 15 May 2008 01:36:00 -0400
Video games designed to provide a workout are becoming big business. But do these games — such as the Wii Fit, which hits stores Monday — deliver on their fitness promises?
Study: Number of Wireless-Only U.S. Homes Grows
Wed, 14 May 2008 11:45:00 -0400
More Americans are cancelling their landlines and using only wireless phones, according to a new study from the National Center for Health Statistics. In the last half of 2007, the number of homes without landlines — 16 percent — had more than doubled from the same period in 2004.

BBC News | Technology | UK Edition

'$100 laptop' embraces Windows XP
Thu, 15 May 2008 23:07:16 -0000
Microsoft joins forces with the makers of the "$100 laptop" to make Windows XP available on the low-cost computers.
Investor launches Yahoo challenge
Thu, 15 May 2008 14:09:22 -0000
A billionaire investor announces he will fight to oust the present board of directors at Yahoo.
US 'cyber-bully' mother indicted
Fri, 16 May 2008 02:15:25 -0000
A US woman who allegedly bullied a girl on MySpace who later committed suicide is indicted by a Grand Jury.

Reuters Video: Technology

Swiss man soars with jet wings
Thu, 15 May 2008 12:01:44 -0400
May 15 - A Swiss man stuns onlookers by flying a jet propelled wing for nearly ten minutes at a peak speed of 300 km/h (186 mph).
New NATO cyber defence centre
Thu, 15 May 2008 10:36:00 -0400
May 15 - Seven NATO nations back new measures against cyber war some see as an emerging security risk.
Reuters Quickcut: Flying man
Thu, 15 May 2008 07:27:24 -0400
May 14 - Known as 'Fusion Man', a former pilot has stunned crowds by flying a jet-propelled wing for nearly ten minutes at a peak speed of 300 km/h (186 mph).

AP Top Technology News At 11:26 p.m. EDT

Woman indicted in Missouri MySpace suicide case
By LINDA DEUTSCH Fri, 16 May 2008 03:26:23 -0000
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A Missouri woman was indicted Thursday for her alleged role in perpetrating a hoax on the online social network MySpace against a 13-year-old neighbor who committed suicide....
Icahn to Yahoo board: Sell to Microsoft or leave
By MICHAEL LIEDTKE Thu, 15 May 2008 23:32:49 -0000
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Yahoo Inc. Chief Executive Jerry Yang spent months fending off Microsoft Corp.'s unsolicited takeover bid. Now he may only have a few weeks to persuade the software maker to revive its last offer of $47.5 billion, or risk being fired in a shareholder mutiny led by activist investor Carl Icahn....
Robotic suit could usher in super soldier era
By MARK JEWELL Thu, 15 May 2008 17:44:33 -0000
Rex Jameson bikes and swims regularly, and plays tennis and skis when time allows. But the 5-foot-11, 180-pound software engineer is lucky if he presses 200 pounds - that is, until he steps into an "exoskeleton" of aluminum and electronics that multiplies his strength and endurance as many as 20 times....

CNET News.com

End of Intel, AMD duopoly near? Via readies Isaiah chip
Thu, 15 May 2008 18:15:00 -0700
Via Technologies is getting set to its higher-performance Isaiah processor that is targeted at mainstream computers.
RIAA defendant Jammie Thomas may get new trial
Thu, 15 May 2008 17:41:00 -0700
Federal judge who presided over first RIAA peer-to-peer trial says he may grant new trial because of possibly flawed jury instruction.
Google Translate speaks 10 new languages
Thu, 15 May 2008 17:17:00 -0700
The translation service adds Swedish, Hindi, Danish, seven other languages, and the ability to guess the language that text needs to be translated from.

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