There are two ways to write error-free programs; only the third one works.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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....

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.

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.

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

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

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

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...

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...

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 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.

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.

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.