Quote

Because of its vitality, the computing field is always in desperate need of new cliches: Banality soothes our nerves.

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
Desperate
Humorous
Soothes
Field
Cliches
Fields
Banality
Technology
Computing
Need
Cliche
Needs
Vitality
Always
Nerves

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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?
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Some programming languages manage to absorb change, but withstand progress.
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Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.
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In computing, the mean time to failure keeps getting shorter.
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You think you KNOW when you learn, are more sure when you can write, even more when you can teach, but certain when you can program.
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In computing, turning the obvious into the useful is a living definition of the word frustration.
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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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There are two ways to write error-free programs only the third one works.
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It is better to have 100 functions operate on one data structure than to have 10 functions operate on 10 data structures.
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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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If your computer speaks English, it was probably made in Japan.
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In man-machine symbiosis, it is man who must adjust: The machines can't.
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A programming language is low level when its programs require attention to the irrelevant.
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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 LISP programmer knows the value of everything, but the cost of nothing.
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In software systems it is often the early bird that makes the worm.
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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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If a listener nods his head when you're explaining your program, wake him up.
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There is no such thing as a free variable.
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