Qiu Bojun (求伯君) is the celebrated founder of WPS Office and the creator of its first version, WPS 1.0. Revered as the “father of WPS” and a pioneering figure in China’s software industry, he single-handedly developed the initial word processing system in 1988, which laid the foundation for the software giant Kingsoft and the powerful, all-in-one office suite millions use today.
Table of Contents
- Who is Qiu Bojun, the Founder of WPS?
- The Spark of Genius: Early Life and Programming Prowess
- An Early Fascination with Code
- Formative Years in the National University of Defense Technology
- The Birth of an Icon: How Was WPS 1.0 Created?
- A One-Man Army: The Legendary Coding Marathon
- Solving a National Need for a Chinese Word Processor
- What Was the Motivation Behind Creating WPS?
- From a Single Program to a Software Giant: The Founding of Kingsoft
- The Vision for a Chinese Software Company
- Expanding Beyond Word Processing
- The “Word” Wars: How Did WPS Challenge Microsoft’s Dominance?
- The Initial Market Leadership
- Microsoft’s Entry and the Ensuing Struggle
- A Fateful Partnership: The Arrival of Lei Jun
- The Philosophy of a Pioneer: Qiu Bojun’s Guiding Principles
- A Focus on Technical Excellence
- User-Centric Design at its Core
- The Legacy Lives On: Qiu Bojun’s Vision in Today’s WPS Office
- Life Beyond the CEO Chair: A New Chapter for Qiu Bojun
- Qiu Bojun’s Lasting Impact on China’s Technology Landscape
- Frequently Asked Questions About the WPS Founder
Who is Qiu Bojun, the Founder of WPS?
Qiu Bojun is a name synonymous with the dawn of China’s personal computer software era. He is the original creator and programmer behind the Word Processing System, better known as WPS. His work established him as a national hero among programmers and entrepreneurs. In the late 1980s, when Chinese computer users lacked a functional and intuitive local-language word processor, Qiu Bojun dedicated himself to solving this problem. His efforts culminated in the creation of WPS 1.0, a program that would dominate the Chinese market and lead to the formation of Kingsoft, a cornerstone of the country’s software industry.
His journey is not just one of technical achievement but also of perseverance and vision. Often hailed as “China’s first programmer,” Qiu Bojun’s story is a powerful testament to how a single individual’s passion can spark a technological revolution, challenging global giants and building an enduring legacy.
The Spark of Genius: Early Life and Programming Prowess
Long before he became a software magnate, Qiu Bojun was a young man captivated by the logic and potential of computers. This early passion set the stage for his future accomplishments and shaped his entire career trajectory.
An Early Fascination with Code
Born in 1964 in Xinchang, Zhejiang, Qiu Bojun displayed a keen aptitude for mathematics and science from a young age. His first encounter with a computer during his university years was a pivotal moment. While others saw a complex machine, he saw a world of infinite possibilities waiting to be unlocked through code. He reportedly spent countless hours in the computer lab, teaching himself programming and exploring the intricacies of system architecture, often staying long after others had left.
Formative Years in the National University of Defense Technology
Qiu Bojun’s formal education at the prestigious National University of Defense Technology provided him with a strong foundation in computer science. It was here that he honed his technical skills and developed the disciplined work ethic that would become his hallmark. His time at the university was characterized by an insatiable curiosity and a drive to push the boundaries of what was possible with the limited computing resources available in China at the time.
The Birth of an Icon: How Was WPS 1.0 Created?
The creation of WPS 1.0 is a legendary tale in the annals of software development. It was not the product of a large corporation but the result of one man’s relentless effort, coding in isolation for over a year.
A One-Man Army: The Legendary Coding Marathon
Between May 1988 and May 1989, Qiu Bojun locked himself away to write the code for what would become WPS. This was an intense period of solo development where he wrote over 100,000 lines of assembly code. He reportedly fell ill three times during this year, even being hospitalized, but his determination never wavered. He famously continued to code from his hospital bed, driven by the goal of creating a perfect word processing solution. This monumental effort, undertaken by a single person, is a core part of the wps创始人 (WPS founder) legend.
Solving a National Need for a Chinese Word Processor
At the time, the Chinese market was dominated by cumbersome word processors like CC-DOS, which were difficult to use and lacked advanced features. Qiu Bojun envisioned a system that was not only powerful but also intuitive for Chinese users. WPS 1.0 was designed from the ground up to handle Chinese characters elegantly, offering “what you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG) editing, a revolutionary concept for mainland China in that era. It quickly became the de facto standard, capturing over 90% of the market.
What Was the Motivation Behind Creating WPS?
What drives a person to undertake such a colossal task alone? For Qiu Bojun, the motivation was twofold: personal ambition and a sense of national pride. He was driven by the programmer’s ultimate dream: to create a piece of software that would be used and loved by millions. He wanted his code to run on every computer in China.
Furthermore, there was a patriotic element. In an era where foreign software was beginning to enter the market, he felt a strong desire to create a world-class product that was distinctly Chinese. He aimed to prove that a domestic programmer could develop software that was superior to, or at least on par with, international offerings. This ambition to provide a powerful, self-sufficient software alternative remains a core tenet of the WPS philosophy.
From a Single Program to a Software Giant: The Founding of Kingsoft
The overwhelming success of WPS 1.0 was the catalyst for something much bigger. Qiu Bojun’s personal project soon transformed into a commercial enterprise, leading to the birth of Kingsoft.
The Vision for a Chinese Software Company
In 1988, leveraging the success of his creation, Qiu Bojun joined Kingsoft in Hong Kong and later established its subsidiary in Zhuhai. His vision was to build a company that could consistently produce high-quality software for the Chinese market. He wanted Kingsoft to be a “WPS for life,” a company that would continue to innovate and serve its users for decades to come. This marked his transition from a lone programmer to a business leader and entrepreneur.
Expanding Beyond Word Processing
Under Qiu Bojun’s leadership, Kingsoft diversified its portfolio. While WPS remained its flagship product, the company ventured into other areas, including antivirus software (Kingsoft Antivirus), dictionaries (Kingsoft PowerWord), and eventually online gaming. This expansion turned Kingsoft into a multifaceted software powerhouse, but the spirit of WPS—technical excellence and user-friendliness—remained at its heart.
The “Word” Wars: How Did WPS Challenge Microsoft’s Dominance?
The arrival of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office in China presented the greatest challenge of Qiu Bojun’s career. The battle between WPS and Microsoft Word became a defining chapter for Kingsoft.
The Initial Market Leadership
In the DOS era, WPS was the undisputed king. Its intuitive interface and superior handling of Chinese characters made it the preferred choice for individuals, businesses, and government agencies across China. This period of dominance established a loyal user base and a strong brand identity.
Microsoft’s Entry and the Ensuing Struggle
With the shift to the Windows operating system, the landscape changed dramatically. Microsoft bundled Word with Windows, creating a significant distribution advantage. Kingsoft’s response, a Windows version of WPS, struggled to compete. This period, known as the “Word Wars,” saw WPS’s market share plummet. Yet, Qiu Bojun did not give up. He led the development of WPS 97, a completely rewritten version designed to be compatible with Microsoft’s file formats, a crucial strategic decision that ensured WPS’s survival and eventual resurgence.
A Fateful Partnership: The Arrival of Lei Jun
In 1992, Qiu Bojun made one of his most important decisions as a leader: he hired a young, ambitious programmer named Lei Jun (who would later found Xiaomi). Lei Jun quickly rose through the ranks to become the CEO of Kingsoft. The partnership between the visionary programmer (Qiu Bojun) and the brilliant business strategist (Lei Jun) was instrumental in navigating Kingsoft through its toughest years and setting it on a path to renewed growth and an eventual IPO.
The Philosophy of a Pioneer: Qiu Bojun’s Guiding Principles
Qiu Bojun’s success was not just about technical skill; it was rooted in a deeply held philosophy about software development and leadership.
A Focus on Technical Excellence
For Qiu Bojun, the code was paramount. He believed in writing clean, efficient, and robust programs. He was a hands-on leader who, even as an executive, would dive into the code to solve problems. This relentless pursuit of technical perfection set a high standard for the entire company and became a core part of Kingsoft’s culture.
User-Centric Design at its Core
From the very beginning, WPS was built for the user. Qiu Bojun understood that software should adapt to people, not the other way around. He focused on creating an intuitive experience that solved real-world problems. This user-first approach is why WPS gained such a loyal following and remains a key differentiator for the software today.
The Legacy Lives On: Qiu Bojun’s Vision in Today’s WPS Office
Though Qiu Bojun stepped down from his leadership role at Kingsoft in 2011, his spirit is deeply embedded in the modern WPS Office. His original vision of creating a powerful, accessible, and user-friendly office suite has evolved into a product that serves a global audience. The strategic decision to ensure compatibility with Microsoft Office formats, made during the “Word Wars,” is a cornerstone of today’s product.
Modern solutions like WPS Office for Mac are a direct continuation of this legacy. It embodies the all-in-one concept, integrating Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and PDF tools into a single, lightweight application—a modern interpretation of Qiu Bojun’s desire for efficiency and power. Its seamless compatibility and familiar interface fulfill the decades-old promise of providing a formidable and cost-effective alternative without compromising on functionality. The cross-platform availability and cloud integration extend his vision of accessibility to a connected, 21st-century world.
Life Beyond the CEO Chair: A New Chapter for Qiu Bojun
After dedicating more than two decades to Kingsoft, Qiu Bojun announced his retirement in 2011, passing the torch to the next generation of leaders. His departure marked the end of an era for the company and for China’s software industry. Since then, he has maintained a low profile, reportedly pursuing personal interests and enjoying a life away from the intense pressures of the tech world. His “retirement” is seen not as an end, but as a well-deserved rest for a programmer who gave his all to his craft and his country.
Qiu Bojun’s Lasting Impact on China’s Technology Landscape
Qiu Bojun’s influence extends far beyond the software he wrote. He is an inspirational figure for generations of Chinese programmers and tech entrepreneurs. His story proved that it was possible to build a successful software company in China that could stand up to international competition. He cultivated a culture of engineering excellence at Kingsoft and mentored other great leaders, including Lei Jun. His work laid the groundwork for the vibrant and innovative tech ecosystem that exists in China today.
Frequently Asked Questions About the WPS Founder
To provide a quick reference, here are answers to some common questions about Qiu Bojun.
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| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who is the founder of WPS? | Qiu Bojun (求伯君) is the founder and original programmer of WPS Office. |
| When was the first version of WPS created? | Qiu Bojun developed the first version, WPS 1.0, between 1988 and 1989. |
| What company makes WPS Office? | WPS Office is developed by Kingsoft, the software company Qiu Bojun helped establish. |
| Why is Qiu Bojun called the “father of WPS”? | He single-handedly wrote the entire code for the first version, making him the sole creator and “father” of the software. |
| Is Qiu Bojun still at Kingsoft? | No, he officially retired from all his positions at Kingsoft in 2011 to pursue personal interests. |