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

Quote by Alan Perlis

Topics: Alan Perlis Quotes

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 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.

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

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.

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...

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.