Alfred Aho — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Recipient of the 2020 Turing Award, the highest distinction in computer science
Lawrence Gussman Professor in Computer Science at Columbia University since 1995
Known for work on programming languages, compilers, and related algorithms
Devised efficient regular expression and string-pattern matching algorithms for Unix tools egrep and fgrep, including the Aho–Corasick algorithm
Co-authored influential textbooks on compiling techniques, known as "the dragon books"
Conducted research at Bell Labs from 1967 to 1991 and 1997 to 2002, serving as Vice President of the Computing Sciences Research Center
Holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science from Princeton University (1967)

Biography

Alfred Vaino Aho is a Canadian computer scientist and the Lawrence Gussman Professor in Computer Science at Columbia University, a position he has held since 1995. He is best known for his foundational work on programming languages, compilers, and related algorithms. In recognition of his contributions, Aho and his long-time collaborator Jeffrey Ullman received the 2020 Turing Award, widely regarded as the highest distinction in computer science.