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

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

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

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.

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...

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...

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 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 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.

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

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

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.

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 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...

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...

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

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.

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...

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...