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

Quote by Alan Perlis

Topics: Alan Perlis Quotes

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

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

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...

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.

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 change the specification to fit the program than vice versa.

It is easier to change the specification to fit the program than vice versa.

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

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

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

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

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....

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

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

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...

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 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.

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

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

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

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

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.

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...

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.