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

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...

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...

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.

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...

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

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

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

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

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...

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

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

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.

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

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

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...

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....

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

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

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

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

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.

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...