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

Quote by Alan Perlis

Topics: Alan Perlis Quotes

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.

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...

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

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...

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.

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

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...

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.

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

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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....

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

Convenience too often trumps security, but complexity trumps even best effort.

Convenience too often trumps security, but complexity trumps even best effort.

I love to work. I love to have complexity.

I love to work. I love to have complexity.