Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

Quote by Alan Perlis

Topics: Complexity 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...

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...

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.

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.

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

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.

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 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.

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

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.

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....

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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