About the Author

Starting from age 12, Alan Mellor has four decades of experience developing software, for various companies, startups and as a freelancer.

From a humble Sinclair ZX81 home computer with 1k of RAM, Alan has progressed to creating systems for industrial automation, defence, e-commerce, games and mobile phones.

Some you may have heard of: Nokia Bounce, The Ericsson R380s smartphone, The Red Arrows flight simulator from 1985 and Fun School 2. All had Alan’s code in them. Other code sits there quietly, doing its thing unnoticed. Yet more has been consigned to the great /dev/null of history.

More recently, Alan has been involved with training UK Level 4 Apprentices. He has designed and delivered content that hopefully helps ‘switch the light on’ about programming.

Alan also enjoys dabbling variously with guitars, electronics, videography and cheeseboards. You just can’t beat a great Roquefort with Rioja.

Thanks

BJSS Limited and Manchester Digital for opportunities to use and teach this stuff.

Steven Taylor - great suggestions on the first draft (despite more work!)

My Mum. That ZX81 didn’t buy itself. You made my career happen.

Stephanie, Katy, Jake. Who would have guessed a 1980s computer nerd would end up surrounded by amazing humans he can call ‘family’. What a privilege.

Katy for front cover art https://www.redbubble.com/people/kath-ryn/shop