FORTRAN is not a flower but a weed – it is hardy, occasionally blooms, and grows in every computer.
ALAN PERLISFORTRAN is not a flower but a weed – it is hardy, occasionally blooms, and grows in every computer.
ALAN PERLISIs it possible that software is not like anything else.
ALAN PERLISIn the long run, every program becomes rococo, and then rubble.
ALAN PERLISIn English every word can be verbed.
ALAN PERLISBanality soothes our nerves.
ALAN PERLISThe 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.
ALAN PERLISYou think you KNOW when you learn.
ALAN PERLISIt is better to have 100 functions operate on one data structure than to have 10 functions operate on 10 data structures.
ALAN PERLISWe are on the verge: Today our program proved Fermat’s next-to-last theorem.
ALAN PERLISSome programming languages manage to absorb change, but withstand progress.
ALAN PERLISWe began to feel as if we really were responsible for the successful, error-free perfect use of these machines.
ALAN PERLISYou’ve solved the wrong problem. Work hard to improve.
ALAN PERLISTraining will not substantially help matters. We have to learn to live with it.
ALAN PERLISOptimization hinders evolution.
ALAN PERLISThere is no such thing as a free variable.
ALAN PERLISYou can measure a programmer’s perspective by noting his attitude on the continuing vitality of FORTRAN.
ALAN PERLIS