To understand a program, you must become both the machine and the program.
ALAN PERLISIn English every word can be verbed. Would that it were so in our programming languages.
More Alan Perlis Quotes
-
-
If a listener nods his head when you’re explaining your program, wake him up.
ALAN PERLIS -
Work hard to improve. Success is also easy to handle.
ALAN PERLIS -
It is easier to change the specification to fit the program than vice versa.
ALAN PERLIS -
In English every word can be verbed. Would that it were so in our programming languages.
ALAN PERLIS -
Everything should be built top-down, except the first time.
ALAN PERLIS -
If you have a procedure with 10 parameters, you probably missed some.
ALAN PERLIS -
When someone says, “I want a programming language in which I need only say what I want done,” give him a lollipop.
ALAN PERLIS -
Optimization hinders evolution.
ALAN PERLIS -
I think that it’s extraordinarily important that we in computer science keep fun in computing.
ALAN PERLIS -
Banality soothes our nerves.
ALAN PERLIS -
You can measure a programmer’s perspective by noting his attitude on the continuing vitality of FORTRAN.
ALAN PERLIS -
Any noun can be verbed.
ALAN PERLIS -
Every reader should ask himself periodically.
ALAN PERLIS -
I don’t think we are. I think we’re responsible for stretching them, setting them off in new directions, and keeping fun in the house.
ALAN PERLIS -
It goes against the grain of modern education to teach children to program.
ALAN PERLIS