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

Quote by Alan Perlis

Topics: Alan Perlis Quotes

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.

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 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...

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

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

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.

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

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 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 write an incorrect program than understand a correct one.

It is easier to write an incorrect program than understand a correct one.

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.

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...

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

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

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...

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

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

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

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

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

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...

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....

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.