Every program has two purposes: The one for which it was written and another for which it wasn't.

Quote by Alan Perlis

Topics: Alan Perlis Quotes

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...

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...

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.

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.

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...

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.

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...

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.

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

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....

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...