Fools ignore complexity. Pragmatists suffer it. Some can avoid it. Geniuses remove it.

Quote by Alan Perlis

Topics: Alan Perlis Quotes

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...

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...

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.

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

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

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

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

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 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.

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...

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...

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...

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

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

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

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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

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