Quote #21

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.

More from Alan Perlis

  1. One man's constant is another man's variable.
  2. Some programming languages manage to absorb change, but withstand progress.
  3. LISP programmers know the value of everything and the cost of nothing.
  4. The best book on programming for the layman is 'Alice in Wonderland'; but that's because it's the best book on anything for the layman.
  5. It is easier to write an incorrect program than understand a correct one.
  6. The computing field is always in need of new cliches.
  7. It is easier to change the specification to fit the program than vice versa.
  8. There are two ways to write error-free programs; only the third one works.

All Alan Perlis quotes