Alan Perlis Quotes

Alan Perlis was an American computer scientist and professor. He is known for his contributions to the field of programming languages and was the first recipient of the Turing Award, the highest honor in computer science. Perlis' research and insights have had a significant impact on the development of computer programming.

Is it possible that software is not like anything else, that it is meant to be discarded: that the whole point is to always see it as a soap bubble?

In computing, turning the obvious into the useful ... -Alan Perlis

In computing, turning the obvious into the useful is a living definition of the word 'frustration'.

It is easier to write an incorrect program than un... -Alan Perlis

It is easier to write an incorrect program than understand a correct one.

A picture is worth 10K words - but only those to describe the picture. Hardly any sets of 10K words can be adequately described with pictures.

The best book on programming for the layman is 'Alice in Wonderland'; but that's because it's the best book on anything for the layman.

Some programming languages manage to absorb change... -Alan Perlis

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

If your computer speaks English, it was probably m... -Alan Perlis

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

In English every word can be verbed. Would that it... -Alan Perlis

In English every word can be verbed. Would that it were so in our programming languages.

Fools ignore complexity. Pragmatists suffer it. So... -Alan Perlis

Fools ignore complexity. Pragmatists suffer it. Some can avoid it. Geniuses remove it.

There are two ways to write error-free programs; o... -Alan Perlis

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

I think it is inevitable that people program poorly. Training will not substantially help matters. We have to learn to live with it.

You can measure a programmer's perspective by noting his attitude on the continuing vitality of FORTRAN.

Don't have good ideas if you aren't willing to be ... -Alan Perlis

Don't have good ideas if you aren't willing to be responsible for them.

We toast the Lisp programmer who pens his thoughts... -Alan Perlis

We toast the Lisp programmer who pens his thoughts within nests of parentheses.

It is easier to change the specification to fit th... -Alan Perlis

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

LISP programmers know the value of everything and ... -Alan Perlis

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

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follow... -Alan Perlis

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

The computing field is always in need of new clich... -Alan Perlis

The computing field is always in need of new cliches.

A programming language is low level when its progr... -Alan Perlis

A programming language is low level when its programs require attention to the irrelevant.

If a listener nods his head when you're explaining... -Alan Perlis

If a listener nods his head when you're explaining your program, wake him up.

Every program has two purposes: The one for which ... -Alan Perlis

Every program has two purposes: The one for which it was written and another for which it wasn't.

It goes against the grain of modern education to teach students to program. What fun is there to making plans, acquiring discipline, organizing thoughts, devoting attention to detail, and learning to be self critical.

A year spent in artificial intelligence is enough ... -Alan Perlis

A year spent in artificial intelligence is enough to make one believe in God.

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

Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.

If you have a procedure with 10 parameters, you pr... -Alan Perlis

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

In software systems it is often the early bird tha... -Alan Perlis

In software systems it is often the early bird that makes the worm.

Discovering the context

This quote metaphorically conveys that being an early adopter or developer in software systems can lead to significant advantages. It implies that innovation and early implementation can shape the future of technology. It reflects on the importance of timing in software development.

Alan Perlis Quotes

Popular Topic