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Real programmers don't write in PL/I. PL/I is for…

“Real programmers don't write in PL/I. PL/I is for programmers who can't decide whether to write in COBOL or FORTRAN.” quote by Tom Van Vleck
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“Real programmers don't write in PL/I. PL/I is for programmers who can't decide whether to write in COBOL or FORTRAN.”

Tom Van Vleck

About This Quote

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

Real programmers avoid PL/I, a language for indecisive coders torn between COBOL and FORTRAN.

In simple terms: Avoid PL/I; it reflects indecision.

Key Takeaway

Choose a clear, focused programming language.

Themes

programming culture language choice clarity

Mood

humorous critical

Type

technical satirical

When to use this quote

  • selecting a language for a project
  • training new developers
  • refactoring old code

Key Concepts

software engineering decision making legacy systems

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why do some teams cling to ambiguous tools?
  • What benefits can diverse language knowledge bring?
A Different Perspective

PL/I may still be useful in niche legacy systems.

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