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Yes, I share your concern: how to program well -though a…

“Yes, I share your concern: how to program well -though a teachable topic- is hardly taught. The situation is similar to that in mathematics, where the explicit curriculum is confined to mathematical results; how to do mathematics is something the student must absorb by osmosis, so to speak. One…” quote by Edsger Dijkstra
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“Yes, I share your concern: how to program well -though a teachable topic- is hardly taught. The situation is similar to that in mathematics, where the explicit curriculum is confined to mathematical results; how to do mathematics is something the student must absorb by osmosis, so to speak. One reason for preferring symbol-manipulating, calculating arguments is that their design is much better teachable than the design of verbal/pictorial arguments. Large-scale introduction of courses on such calculational methodology, however, would encounter unsurmoutable political problems.”

Edsger Dijkstra

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Effective programming requires deep, tacit understanding beyond formal curricula, akin to learning mathematics by intuition.

In simple terms: Programming skill grows through practice, not just theory.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate intuition through hands‑on problem solving.

Themes

education programming intuition

Mood

thoughtful inquisitive

Type

essay technical

When to use this quote

  • software development
  • academic teaching
  • self‑study
  • bootcamps

Key Concepts

cognitive science pedagogy

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can educators embed intuition into curricula?
  • What personal practices develop your programming intuition?
A Different Perspective

Formal courses may not capture the nuanced, creative aspects of problem solving.

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