I started out in the early 70s in high school, we used prepunched perforated cards, you programmed with a paper clip. We didn't have to pay to run programs, but

I started out in the early 70s in high school, we used prepunched perforated cards, you programmed with a paper clip. We didn't have to pay to run programs, but the cards cost 1c a piece (a lot back then) - we'd recycle cards into new programs all the time