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

Quote by Alan Perlis

Topics: Alan Perlis Quotes

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

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...

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.

It goes against the grain of modern education to teach students to program. What fun...

It goes against the grain of modern education to teach students to program. What fun...

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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....

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.

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...

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...

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.