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

Quote by Alan Perlis

Topics: Alan Perlis Quotes

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.

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...

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...

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.

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.

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....

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

There are forms of complexity in all people...Always update your state of mind.

There are forms of complexity in all people...Always update your state of mind.

One of the great mind destroyers of college education is the belief that if it's...

One of the great mind destroyers of college education is the belief that if it's...

I love to work. I love to have complexity.

I love to work. I love to have complexity.