It is easier to change the specification to fit the program than vice versa.

Quote by Alan Perlis

Topics: Alan Perlis Quotes

In English every word can be verbed. Would that it were so in our programming...

In English every word can be verbed. Would that it were so in our programming...

I think it is inevitable that people program poorly. Training will not substantially help matters....

I think it is inevitable that people program poorly. Training will not substantially help matters....

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

In computing, turning the obvious into the useful is a living definition of the word...

In computing, turning the obvious into the useful is a living definition of the word...

Every program has two purposes: The one for which it was written and another for...

Every program has two purposes: The one for which it was written and another for...

If a listener nods his head when you're explaining your program, wake him up.

If a listener nods his head when you're explaining your program, wake him up.

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

Is it possible that software is not like anything else, that it is meant to...

Is it possible that software is not like anything else, that it is meant to...

Don't have good ideas if you aren't willing to be responsible for them.

Don't have good ideas if you aren't willing to be responsible for them.

A year spent in artificial intelligence is enough to make one believe in God.

A year spent in artificial intelligence is enough to make one believe in God.

If your computer speaks English, it was probably made in Japan.

If your computer speaks English, it was probably made in Japan.

It is easier to write an incorrect program than understand a correct one.

It is easier to write an incorrect program than understand a correct one.

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

There are two ways to write error-free programs; only the third one works.

There are two ways to write error-free programs; only the third one works.

Some programming languages manage to absorb change, but withstand progress.

Some programming languages manage to absorb change, but withstand progress.

LISP programmers know the value of everything and the cost of nothing.

LISP programmers know the value of everything and the cost of nothing.

One man's constant is another man's variable.

One man's constant is another man's variable.

In software systems it is often the early bird that makes the worm.

In software systems it is often the early bird that makes the worm.

A picture is worth 10K words - but only those to describe the picture. Hardly...

A picture is worth 10K words - but only those to describe the picture. Hardly...

A programming language is low level when its programs require attention to the irrelevant.

A programming language is low level when its programs require attention to the irrelevant.