One does not learn computing by using a hand calculator, but one can forget arithmetic. Perlis 1982.

Every reader should ask himself periodically “Toward what end, toward what end?”—but do not ask it too often lest you pass up the fun of programming for the constipation of bittersweet philosophy.

One does not learn computing by using a hand calculator, but one can forget arithmetic. Perlis 1982

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?

Every reader should ask himself periodically ``Toward what end, toward what end?'' -- but do not ask it too often lest you pass up the fun of programming for the constipation of bittersweet philosophy.

Programmers are not to be measured by their ingenuity and their logic but by the completeness of their case analysis.

A language that doesn't affect the way you think about programming is not worth knowing.

Syntactic sugar causes cancer of the semicolon.

The string is a stark data structure and everywhere it is passed there is much duplication of process. It is a perfect vehicle for hiding information.

What's in your hands I think and hope is intelligence: the ability to see the machine as more than when you were first led up to it that you can make it more.