Don't have good ideas if you aren't willing to be responsible for them.

Quote by Alan Perlis

Topics: Alan Perlis Quotes

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

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...

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

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

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.

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.

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...

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

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

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.

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.

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

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 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...

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.

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.

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.

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...