Edsger Dijkstra
Edsger Dijkstra: A Life of Innovation and Insight
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Edsger Wybe Dijkstra was born on May 11, 1930, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. He is commonly known by his initials, EWD.
Birth and Death Dates
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Dijkstra passed away on August 6, 2002, at the age of 72, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape computer science today.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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A Dutch national, Dijkstra was a renowned computer scientist and mathematician. His work spanned multiple disciplines, including programming languages, algorithms, operating systems, and software engineering.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in the Netherlands during World War II had a profound impact on Dijkstra's life. He developed an interest in mathematics at an early age, which led him to study physics and mathematics at the University of Leiden. After completing his undergraduate degree, he moved to the United States to pursue his graduate studies.
Major Accomplishments
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Dijkstra made significant contributions to computer science, earning him numerous accolades throughout his career. Some of his notable achievements include:
Developing the first direct compiler (the A-0 system) and the first high-level programming language (ALGOL 60)
Creating the shortest path algorithm in graph theory, which is still used today
Contributing to the development of the Pascal programming language
Being awarded the Turing Award in 1972 for his work on operating systems
Notable Works or Actions
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Dijkstra's body of work extends far beyond his research and inventions. Some notable publications include:
A Discipline of Programming (1976) - a seminal book that explores the discipline of programming as a science
Notes on Structured Programming (1965) - a paper introducing structured programming concepts, which revolutionized software development
Impact and Legacy
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Dijkstra's influence on computer science is immeasurable. His work has shaped the way we design, develop, and maintain software systems today. He was known for his strong opinions on software engineering, which were often expressed in his writing.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Dijkstra's quotes offer insights into his views on computer science, programming, and innovation. His writings have inspired generations of programmers and continue to be widely read today. Some of the reasons he is remembered include:
Innovative thinking: Dijkstra's work pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible in computer science
Strong opinions: He was unafraid to express his views, often challenging conventional wisdom in the field
* Prolific writing: His publications continue to be studied and referenced today
Dijkstra's life is a testament to the power of innovation and perseverance. As we reflect on his legacy, we are reminded that even the smallest idea can have a profound impact on the world around us.
Quotes by Edsger Dijkstra
Edsger Dijkstra's insights on:
The students that, like the wild animal being prepared for its tricks in the circus called 'life', expects only training as sketched above, will be severely disappointed: by his standards he will learn next to nothing.
If 10 years from now, when you are doing something quick and dirty, you suddenly visualize that I am looking over your shoulders and say to yourself: 'Dijkstra would not have liked this', well that would be enough immortality for me.
![Please don't fall into the trap of believing that I am terribly dogmatical about [the goto statement]. I have the uncomfortable feeling that others are making a religion out of it, as if the conceptual problems of programming could be solved by a single trick, by a simple form of coding discipline!](/_vercel/image?url=https:%2F%2Flakl0ama8n6qbptj.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fquotes%2Fquote-1320089.png&w=1536&q=100)
Please don't fall into the trap of believing that I am terribly dogmatical about [the goto statement]. I have the uncomfortable feeling that others are making a religion out of it, as if the conceptual problems of programming could be solved by a single trick, by a simple form of coding discipline!
Besides a mathematical inclination, an exceptionally good mastery of one's native tongue is the most vital asset of a competent programmer.
Simplicity and elegance are unpopular because they require hard work and discipline to achieve and education to be appreciated.
It is a mistake to think that programmers wares are programs. Programmers have to produce trustworthy solutions and present it in the form of cogent arguments. Programs source code is just the accompanying material to which these arguments are to be applied to.
Computer science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes, biology is about microscopes or chemistry is about beakers and test tubes. Science is not about tools. It is about how we use them, and what we find out when we do.
Production speed is severely slowed down if one works with half-time people who have other obligations as well. This is at least a factor of four; probably it is worse.
How do we convince people that in programming simplicity and clarity - in short: what mathematicians call elegance - are not a dispensable luxury, but a crucial matter that decides between success and failure?