Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

Quote by Alan Perlis

Topics: Complexity Quotes

You can measure a programmer's perspective by noting his attitude on the continuing vitality of...

You can measure a programmer's perspective by noting his attitude on the continuing vitality of...

We toast the Lisp programmer who pens his thoughts within nests of parentheses.

We toast the Lisp programmer who pens his thoughts within nests of parentheses.

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

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...

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.

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.

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

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

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...

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.

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 you have a procedure with 10 parameters, you probably missed some.

If you have a procedure with 10 parameters, you probably missed some.

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...

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

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

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...

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....

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

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

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.

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

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.

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

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