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

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...

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

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.

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.

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

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...

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...

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

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

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

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

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.