Fran Allen sat down recently with ACM staff to discuss her recognition as the first woman to win the top prize in computer science. During the conversation, she helped to redefine the meaning of "success."

Q. What was the focus of your success in computer science research at IBM?

A. My work centered on enabling users of high performance computers to solve problems effectively and efficiently. This involved first analyzing the formulation of a problem solution, and then transforming (optimizing) the solution to utilize the capabilities of the target computing system. These analysis and optimization methods continue to evolve, and to influence high level languages, compilers, high performance computing and, more recently, personal and embedded computing. I also like to think the work has helped users by making application development easier.

Q. What was your most successful and significant project?

A. I was involved with three compilers, all for IBM high performance computer projects, that together formed the body of work recognized by the award. The first (1959-1963) was on the compiler for STRETCH and a variant, HARVEST for NSA. STRETCH was to be 100 times faster than any other machine. It wasn't. And the compiler didn't help. My language and compiler work for HARVEST was deemed successful, but who knows, since the application was classified. The second project (1963-1968) was on the compiler for the Advanced Computing System (ACS). ACS was canceled but the experimental compiler we built and the papers we published impacted the structure and science of compilers. I had learned a lot from the STRETCH experience. The third project was on automatic parallel translation (PTRAN) for parallel systems. Again, we built a compiler and wrote papers that influenced the field. In my mind, these projects are part of a continuum towards the goal of making high performance computing systems better.

Q. Can women be successful in the computing field today?

A. When I first joined IBM as a programmer in 1957, many of my colleagues were women. It was a new and growing field with little history or style of its own. Computer Science didn't exist. The field is quite different now but still every bit as exciting as it was then. Advances such as the Web have opened up new opportunities and ways of working, especially for women. However, Computer Science is not attracting women as effectively as other sciences and related fields. Why? Could the problem be us?

Q. What areas of computing have great potential for successful development in the future?

A. There are too many possibilities so I will just choose one: my own area. Compilers bridge the gap between applications and computer solutions. The problems and the supercomputers needed to solve them have made significant advances. However, the compilers and the problem-solving languages have not kept up with the changes. Help is needed! Only the bold should apply!