In software systems it is often the early bird that makes the worm.

Quote by Alan Perlis

Topics: Alan Perlis Quotes

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

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

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.

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.

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...

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

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

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

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...

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.

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.

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...

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...

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

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

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.

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...

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.

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 change the specification to fit the program than vice versa.

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

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...