And there is one disconcerting thing about working with a…
““And there is one disconcerting thing about working with a computer – it's likely to talk back to you. You make some tiny mistake in your FORTRAN language – putting a letter in the wrong column, say, or omitting a comma – and the 360 comes to a screeching halt and prints out rude remarks, like "ILLEGAL FORMAT," or "UNKNOWN PROBLEM," or, if the man who wrote the program was really feeling nasty that morning, "WHAT'S THE MATTER STUPID? CAN'T YOU READ?" Everyone who uses a computer frequently has had, from time to time, a mad desire to attack the precocious abacus with an axe.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Computers can produce unexpected, vulgar errors, reflecting the frustration of programmers and the need for patience.
In simple terms: Machines can be frustratingly blunt.
Key Takeaway
Maintain patience when debugging code.
Themes
technology
programming
frustration
humor
communication
Mood
irritated
humorous
reflective
Type
Computer:1
Computers:1
Funny:1
Programming:1
Science:0
Technology:1
Fortran:1
Uses Computer:0
Fortran Language:0
Mistake Fortran:0
When to use this quote
- coding tutorials
- debugging workshops
- tech support
Key Concepts
computer science
human‑computer interaction
software engineering
Questions to Reflect On
- What strategies help you stay calm during errors?
- How can error messages be improved?
A Different Perspective
Humor may downplay serious safety concerns.