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

Quote by Alan Perlis

Topics: Alan Perlis Quotes

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...

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.

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.

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...

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....

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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...

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

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...