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

Alan Perlis

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Alan Perlis
Age: 67 †
Born: 1922
Born: April 1
Died: 1990
Died: February 7
Computer Scientist
Mathematician
University Teacher
Pittsburg
Pennsylvania
Alan Jay Perlis
Alan J. Perlis
Makes
Worm
Worms
Software
Systems
Bird
Early
Technology
Often

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You can measure a programmer's perspective by noting his attitude on the continuing vitality of FORTRAN.
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Motto for a research laboratory: what we work on today, others will first think of tomorrow.
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A language that doesn't affect the way you think about programming is not worth knowing.
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In English every word can be verbed. Would that it were so in our programming languages.
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When someone says, I want a programming language in which I need only say what I want done, give him a lollipop.
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There are two ways to write error-free programs only the third one works.
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It goes against the grain of modern education to teach children to program. What fun is there in making plans, acquiring discipline in organizing thoughts, devoting attention to detail and learning to be self-critical?
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FORTRAN is not a flower but a weed - it is hardy, occasionally blooms, and grows in every computer.
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In programming, as in everything else, to be in error is to be reborn.
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Any noun can be verbed.
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One man's constant is another man's variable.
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To understand a program, you must become both the machine and the program.
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Optimization hinders evolution. Everything should be built top-down, except the first time. Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.
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Every reader should ask himself periodically “Toward what end, toward what end?”—but do not ask it too often lest you pass up the fun of programming for the constipation of bittersweet philosophy.
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Some programming languages manage to absorb change, but withstand progress.
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If a listener nods his head when you're explaining your program, wake him up.
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It is easier to change the specification to fit the program than vice versa.
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Adapting old programs to fit new machines usually means adapting new machines to behave like old ones.
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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.
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In man-machine symbiosis, it is man who must adjust: The machines can't.
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