The question of whether computers can think is just like the question of
whether submarines can swim. -- Edsger W. Dijkstra
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Fortune Quote #879
The primary purpose of the DATA statement is to give names to constants;
instead of referring to pi as 3.141592653589793 at every appearance, the
variable PI can be given that value with a DATA statement and used instead
of the longer form of the constant. This also simplifies modifying the
program, should the value of pi change. -- FORTRAN manual for Xerox
Computers
instead of referring to pi as 3.141592653589793 at every appearance, the
variable PI can be given that value with a DATA statement and used instead
of the longer form of the constant. This also simplifies modifying the
program, should the value of pi change. -- FORTRAN manual for Xerox
Computers
Monday, December 29, 2014
Fortune Quote #878
The idea that an arbitrary naive human should be able to properly use a
given tool without training or understanding is even more wrong for
computing than it is for other tools (e.g. automobiles, airplanes, guns,
power saws). -- Doug Gwyn
given tool without training or understanding is even more wrong for
computing than it is for other tools (e.g. automobiles, airplanes, guns,
power saws). -- Doug Gwyn
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Fortune Quote #877
The difference between art and science is that science is what we
understand well enough to explain to a computer. Art is everything
else. -- Donald Knuth, "Discover"
understand well enough to explain to a computer. Art is everything
else. -- Donald Knuth, "Discover"
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Fortune Quote #876
The connection between the language in which we think/program and the
problems and solutions we can imagine is very close. For this reason
restricting language features with the intent of eliminating programmer
errors is at best dangerous. -- Bjarne Stroustrup
problems and solutions we can imagine is very close. For this reason
restricting language features with the intent of eliminating programmer
errors is at best dangerous. -- Bjarne Stroustrup
Friday, December 26, 2014
Fortune Quote #875
The Analytical Engine weaves Algebraical patterns just as the Jacquard
loom weaves flowers and leaves. -- Ada Augusta, Countess of
Lovelace, the first programmer
loom weaves flowers and leaves. -- Ada Augusta, Countess of
Lovelace, the first programmer
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Fortune Quote #874
The algorithm for finding the longest path in a graph is NP-complete. For
you systems people, that means it's *real slow*. -- Bart Miller
you systems people, that means it's *real slow*. -- Bart Miller
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Fortune Quote #873
That's the thing about people who think they hate computers. What they
really hate is lousy programmers. -- Larry Niven and Jerry
Pournelle, in "Oath of Fealty"
really hate is lousy programmers. -- Larry Niven and Jerry
Pournelle, in "Oath of Fealty"
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Fortune Quote #872
"Real computer scientists despise the idea of actual hardware. Hardware
has limitations, software doesn't. It's a real shame that Turing machines
are so poor at I/O."
has limitations, software doesn't. It's a real shame that Turing machines
are so poor at I/O."
Monday, December 22, 2014
Fortune Quote #871
... one of the main causes of the fall of the Roman Empire was that,
lacking zero, they had no way to indicate successful termination of their C
programs. -- Robert Firth
lacking zero, they had no way to indicate successful termination of their C
programs. -- Robert Firth
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Fortune Quote #870
On two occasions I have been asked [by members of Parliament!], "Pray, Mr.
Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers
come out?" I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of
ideas that could provoke such a question. -- Charles Babbage
Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers
come out?" I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of
ideas that could provoke such a question. -- Charles Babbage
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Fortune Quote #869
Nurse Donna: "Oh, Groucho, I'm afraid I'm gonna wind up an old maid."
Groucho: "Well, bring her in and we'll wind her up together."
Groucho: "Well, bring her in and we'll wind her up together."
Friday, December 19, 2014
Fortune Quote #868
"Niklaus Wirth has lamented that, whereas Europeans pronounce his name
correctly (Ni-klows Virt), Americans invariably mangle it into (Nick-les
Worth). Which is to say that Europeans call him by name, but Americans
call him by value."
correctly (Ni-klows Virt), Americans invariably mangle it into (Nick-les
Worth). Which is to say that Europeans call him by name, but Americans
call him by value."
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Fortune Quote #866
Never make anything simple and efficient when a way can be found to make
it complex and wonderful.
it complex and wonderful.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Fortune Quote #865
Nearly every complex solution to a programming problem that I have looked
at carefully has turned out to be wrong. -- Brent Welch
at carefully has turned out to be wrong. -- Brent Welch
Monday, December 15, 2014
Fortune Quote #864
Man is the best computer we can put aboard a spacecraft ... and the only
one that can be mass produced with unskilled labor. -- Wernher von
Braun
one that can be mass produced with unskilled labor. -- Wernher von
Braun
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Fortune Quote #862
"All Lisp Users take note: Due to the holiday next Monday, there will be
no garbage collection."
no garbage collection."
Friday, December 12, 2014
Fortune Quote #861
Life would be so much easier if we could just look at the source
code. -- Dave Olson
code. -- Dave Olson
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Fortune Quote #860
Let the machine do the dirty work. -- Kernighan and
Ritchie, "Elements of Programming Style"
Ritchie, "Elements of Programming Style"
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Fortune Quote #859
It must be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to plan, more
doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to manage, than the creation of a
new system. For the initiator has the enmity of all who would profit by
the preservation of the old institutions and merely lukewarm defenders in
those who would gain by the new ones. -- Niccolo Machiavelli
doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to manage, than the creation of a
new system. For the initiator has the enmity of all who would profit by
the preservation of the old institutions and merely lukewarm defenders in
those who would gain by the new ones. -- Niccolo Machiavelli
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Monday, December 8, 2014
Fortune Quote #857
Imagine if every Thursday your shoes exploded if you tied them the usual
way. This happens to us all the time with computers, and nobody thinks of
complaining. -- Jeff Raskin
way. This happens to us all the time with computers, and nobody thinks of
complaining. -- Jeff Raskin
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Fortune Quote #856
If you put tomfoolery into a computer, nothing comes out but tomfoolery.
But this tomfoolery, having passed through a very expensive machine, is
somehow ennobled and no-one dare criticize it. -- Pierre Gallois
But this tomfoolery, having passed through a very expensive machine, is
somehow ennobled and no-one dare criticize it. -- Pierre Gallois
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Fortune Quote #855
If it happens once, it's a bug. If it happens twice, it's a feature. If it
happens more than twice, it's a design philosophy.
happens more than twice, it's a design philosophy.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Fortune Quote #854
It has been said that physicists stand on one another's shoulders. If
this is the case, then programmers stand on one another's toes, and
software engineers dig each other's graves.
this is the case, then programmers stand on one another's toes, and
software engineers dig each other's graves.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Fortune Quote #853
"If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the
first woodpecker to come along would destroy civilization."
first woodpecker to come along would destroy civilization."
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Fortune Quote #852
I've finally learned what "upward compatible" means. It means we get to
keep all our old mistakes. -- Dennie van Tassel
keep all our old mistakes. -- Dennie van Tassel
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Monday, December 1, 2014
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