Gordon Eubanks
Gordon Eubanks | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 7, 1946 |
| Occupation(s) | Computer programmer, technology executive |
| Known for | Development of CBASIC compiler, leadership at Symantec |
| Notable work | CBASIC compiler, Q & A software |
Gordon Edwin Eubanks, Jr. (born November 7, 1946) is recognized as a trailblazer in the American microcomputer sector who partnered with Gary Kildall during the foundational period of Digital Research (DRI).
Eubanks pursued his studies at Oklahoma State University, where he was affiliated with the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. His graduate thesis advisor at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, was Gary Kildall. In 1976, Eubanks authored a master's thesis that introduced BASIC-E, a compiler for the BASIC programming language tailored to Kildall's CP/M operating system. While serving as a naval officer over the following year and a half, he developed the widely used CBASIC compiler for IMSAI computers. The term CBASIC likely alludes either to its maritime development environment or its emphasis on commercial applications, utilizing BCD arithmetic to prevent rounding inaccuracies present in MBASIC—an essential feature for accounting software.
Compiler Systems and Digital Research
Following Microsoft's strategic pivot from programming languages toward operating systems in 1981, Digital Research expanded its language portfolio by acquiring Eubanks's enterprise, Compiler Systems. Upon joining DRI, Eubanks soon harbored doubts about the company's enduring prospects. In 1984, he transitioned to Symantec, where between 1984 and 1986 he contributed to the creation of Q & A, an integrated word processing and database application that supported natural language queries. Subsequently, he ascended to the roles of president and CEO at Symantec, guiding the firm into software utilities and antivirus sectors.
Eubanks departed Symantec in 1999 to assume leadership of Oblix, a Silicon Valley-based company specializing in web security solutions. Oblix was later acquired by Oracle in 2005. Additionally, he has held board positions at Concur and Oakley Networks.
He is married to Ronda Eubanks and has one son named Keith.
Further reading
External links
- Transcript of Gordon Eubanks oral history
- Face to Face: Gordon Eubanks (ZDNet video)
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- 1946 births
- American computer programmers
- Living people
- Oklahoma State University alumni
- Naval Postgraduate School alumni
- Digital Research employees
- Oracle employees
- Gen Digital people
- American philatelists