Alan Perlis

“A year spent in artificial intelligence is enough to make one believe in God.”

“You can measure a programmer's perspective by noting his attitude on the continuing vitality of FORTRAN.”

“In computing, turning the obvious into the useful is a living definition of the word 'frustration'.”

“It goes against the grain of modern education to teach students to program. What fun is there to making plans, acquiring discipline, organizing thoughts, devoting attention to detail, and learning to be self critical.”

“Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.”

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

“I think it is inevitable that people program poorly. Training will not substantially help matters. We have to learn to live with it.”