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

Quote by Alan Perlis

Topics: Alan Perlis Quotes

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

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...

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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....

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...

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...

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.

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

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

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.

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...

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.

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...