We began to feel as if we really were responsible for the successful, error-free perfect use of these machines. ALAN PERLIS BaganErrorFeelFreeMachinePerfectResponsibleSuccessful
In English every word can be verbed. Would that it were so in our programming languages. ALAN PERLIS EnglishLanguageProgramVerbWord
Some programming languages manage to absorb change, but withstand progress. ALAN PERLIS AbsorbChangeLanguageManageProgramProgressSomeWithstand
It is easier to change the specification to fit the program than vice versa. ALAN PERLIS ChanceEarlierProgramSpecificationVersaVice
In software systems it is often the early bird that makes the worm. ALAN PERLIS BirdEarlyMakeOftenSoftwareSystemWorm
Work hard to improve. Success is also easy to handle. ALAN PERLIS AlsoEasyHandleHardImproveSuccessWork
Programmers are not to be measured by their ingenuity and their logic but by the completeness of their case analysis. ALAN PERLIS AnalysisComplutenseIdentityLogicMeasureProgram
Fools ignore complexity. Pragmatists suffer it. Some can avoid it. Geniuses remove it. ALAN PERLIS AffectFoolIgnoreKnowProgramWorth
Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it. ALAN PERLIS ComplexityFollowPrecedeSimplicity
In programming, as in everything else, to be in error is to be reborn. ALAN PERLIS ElseErrorEverythingProgramReborn
In computing, turning the obvious into the useful is a living definition of the word “frustration”. ALAN PERLIS ComputeDefibationFrustrationLiveObviousTurnUsefulWord
I think that it’s extraordinarily important that we in computer science keep fun in computing. ALAN PERLIS ComputeComputerExtraordinaryFunImportantScienceThink
Like seeing, movement or flow or alteration of view is more important than the static picture, no matter how lovely. ALAN PERLIS AlternationImportantLifeLovelyMatterMoreMovementPictureSeekView
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 DirectionHouseKeepResponsibleSetStretchThink
A programming language is low level when its programs require attention to the irrelevant. ALAN PERLIS AttentionIrrelevantLanguageLowProgramRequire
