Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

Quote by Alan Perlis

Topics: Complexity Quotes

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.

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

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

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.

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...

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

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

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.

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...

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.

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.

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....

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...

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.

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.

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

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

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...

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

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

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 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...

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...