I think it is inevitable that people program poorly. Training will not substantially help matters. We have to learn to live with it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Poor programming is inevitable and training cannot fix human fallibility.
- In plain terms
- People make mistakes in code and we must accept that.
- What can you take from it?
- Build systems that tolerate human error.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can tools replace training?
- How do you design for mistakes?
Another view
Some argue better training and tools can significantly reduce errors.
More from Alan Perlis
Fools ignore complexity. Pragmatists suffer it. Some can avoid it. Geniuses remove it.
Permalink to quote #8 If a listener nods his head when you're explaining your program, wake him up.
Permalink to quote #10 Every program has two purposes: The one for which it was written and another for which it wasn't.
Permalink to quote #7
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