Every program has (at least) two purposes: the one for which it was written and another for which it wasn't.
Alan PerlisRead
In computing, turning the obvious into the useful is a living definition of the word "frustration".
Interpretation
What this quote means
Frustration in computing arises when simple solutions are overlooked or not implemented effectively.
Alan Perlis highlights a common challenge in the realm of computing: the difficulty of transforming obvious ideas into practical solutions. This 'frustration' emerges when straightforward solutions are ignored or when simplicity is overly complicated, underscoring the importance of clarity and efficacy in technological development.
Themes
ComputingFrustrationSimplicitySolutionsTechnology
In practice
Example use cases
During a tech conference when discussing software development challenges.
More from Alan Perlis
All quotes →Because of its vitality, the computing field is always in desperate need of new cliches: Banality soothes our nerves.
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It is better to have 100 functions operate on one data structure than to have 10 functions operate on 10 data structures.
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A good programming language is a conceptual universe for thinking about programming.
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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.
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C programmers never die. They are just cast into void.
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