Mathematician and software developer, outstanding member of the Institute, at present honorary member
(see more on the foundation of the Cluj-Napoca IT; ITC history – soon).
He activated at the Institute between 1960-1968, having a major contribution in the elaboration of the software of the first Romanian electronic computers:
- the first mathematical library (for the elementary math. functions – sin, cos, exp, etc), in machine code, for the DACICC-1 computer (1963);
- the first compiler in Romania, for the DACICC-200 computer (1968).
He activated in the software field at the Institute for Computer Research (Institutul pentru Tehnica de Calcul – ITC). He is the author of some well appreciated manuals of programming (in C, C++, C#, etc).
He is coauthor of the first manuals of computer science in Romania (1971), which were used several years at the four highschools founded in Romania (in Bucharest, Iaşi, Cluj-Napoca and Timişoara). He was (together with dr. Emil Muntean, dr. Augustin Prodan and Teodor Vuşcan) in the team of researchers detached to teach computer science at the newly founded highschool from Cluj-Napoca.
The mathematical papers published at the Institute allow us to state that he is also a member of the Cluj Team on Numerical Analysis and Approximation Theory.
He is one of the computer pioneers in Cluj-Napoca and in Romania.
(version of October 30, 2018)
(to be completed)
Born on September 7, 1937.
Studies:
- 1956, Highschool
- 1960, graduates the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Babeş–Bolyai University, Cluj–Napoca (specialization: Mathematics).
Positions:
- 1960 – 1965: assistant researcher at ICTP.
Fields of interest: 1960-1962 linear programming. Since 1962 – theoretical and practical problems regarding the electronic computers. As for theory, I have dealt with the formal verification of the logical schemes for the algorithms, while in practice I have elaborated routines, in machine code, for statistics, systems of linear equations, matrix inversion, etc., for the electronic computer DACICC-1. - 1965 – Iunie 1968: researcher at ICTP
I have elaborated system programs for input-output, for the DACICC-200 computer. I have also realized a compiler for the Fortran-II language, on the mentioned computer. - July–August 1968: principal researcher III at ICPUEC, Cluj–Napoca Branch, later called Institute for Computing Techniques (Institutul de Tehnică de Calcul)
- September 1968 – March 1969: specialization in France, at the firm CII (Compagnie Internationale Pour L’informatique), for the COBOL language.
- May 1969 – 1972, ITC,
elaboration of documentation (in Romanian) for the Cobol language. Together with other colleagues, we have realized a system of Cobol programes for the automated evidence of the stocks of the ICS deposits. This system was successfully used several years. - March 1973 – Octomber 1973, System engineer at CII.
I have elaborated test programs for the LPS compiler. - November 1973 – February 1990 (ITC)
Design and construction of compilers using the CDL language (Compiler Description Language), user interfaces. - Martie 1990: principal researcher II at ITC
- 1991 – 1999: principal researcher I at ITC.
Implementation of CPL-1 and C languages under AMS operating system, using the CDL system. - september 1999 – retired
Didactic supplimentar activities
- 1961-1963 –
Asistant at the Department of Mathematical Analysis, Faculty of Mathematics (Babeş-Bolyai University) - 1970 – 1971
T. Popoviciu Highschool of Informatics, Discipline: Introduction in Informatics. I am the coauthor of the first manuals in Romania for Informatics. - 1980 – 2017
Associate teaching professor at the Technical University Cluj – Napoca. Courses taught: Functional Programming, Formal Languages and Translators.
(to be completed)
Since about five years I am concerned about robots.
I purchased sets of parts to build MINDSTORMS robots Logo type EV3. They work on the programs that are written using some languages tailored for them.
Basically I have built two types of robots: vehicle robots and humanoid robots. I’ve already written a lot of programs for them and I want to publish books. I have already published at the Microinformatica Publ. House a volume entitled Constructing and programming Lego MINDSTORMS EV3 robots, which contains programs for vehicle robots. A second volume will follow again for vehicle robots.
Volume 3 is devoted to humanoid robots.
On the book’s cover reads:
The book is intended for those who wish to enter the building and programming Lego robots type MINDSTORMS EV3. The book can be used to teach about robots in schools and colleges.
Volume I refers to building vehicle type robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 set. The simplest programs defined in the volume can be made directly on the robot. More complex programs are accomplished using the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Home Edition application. It describes programs on controlling the engine, movements on colored bands and in a maze, avoiding obstacles, displaying figures and texts, issuing sounds, musical notes and English and Romaninan words.
Volume II contains programs with blocks of sensors, with variables and constants, creating arrays and access to their elements. There are used computing facilities using arithmetic and logical operators, call elementary and trigonometric functions. Finally, addressing the creation and use of user blocks.
Volume III will address constructing a humanoid robot, and the definition of complex programs that run on both kind of robots. In particular, programs for games will be built. An example of such a program is a version of the well known game Nim.
Probably volume 4 will follow, containing complex programs.
Last year I organized an optional programming course on robots at the Faculty of Computer Science.
This year I didn’t, because I had too many hours. Perhaps next year.
The figure below displays the robot vehicle.
The documentation for the first Romanian compiler, DACICC-FORTRAN, designed for the DACICC-200 computer.
The computer was designed and built at the Institute, between 1966-1968, and finalized at the newly founded Institute for Computer Research – Institutul pentru Tehnică de Calcul ITC (which beared the first years the name on the cover).
ITC was founded by the transfer of the Computing Machinery section from ICTP.
Liviu Negrescu is coauthor (together with dr. Emil Muntean, Augustin Prodan and Teodor Vuşcan) of one of the first Romanian manuals on Computer Science for pupils, in 1973.
Liviu Negrescu is known for several books on introduction to Computer Science (C, C++ and C# languages):
- L. Negrescu, Limbajele C si C++ pentru incepatori
- L. Negrescu, L. Negrescu, Limbajul C# pentru incepatori
- L. Negrescu, L. Negrescu, Construirea si programarea robotilor
