Dependence Quote by Andrew S. Tanenbaum
“UNIX does not allow path names to be prefixed by a drive name or number; that would be precisely the kind of device dependence that operating systems ought to eliminate.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Structured Computer Organization, 1976
He argues that operating systems should avoid device‑specific path prefixes to maintain portability.
In simple terms: Avoid device‑specific paths.
Key Takeaway
Design portable software.
Themes
software engineering
portability
operating systems
Mood
technical
analytical
Type
educational
technical
When to use this quote
- system design
- cross‑platform development
- file management
Key Concepts
abstraction
device independence
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you ensure code remains portable?
- What challenges arise in abstracting hardware?
A Different Perspective
Legacy systems may still use drive prefixes.
![“They [leaders in Western Europe] do not misuse financial instruments, financial injections, but, first of all, seek structural change. This is urgent for our economy as well, maybe even more urgent bearing in mind the problem that we cannot yet deal with, namely the prevalence of the oil and gas…” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fab/vladimir-putin-261_change_they-leaders-in-western-europe-do-not-mi_43180.jpg)
![“The heart becomes sick, as the body becomes sick, and its remedy is al-Tawbah (repentance) and protection [from transgression]. It becomes rusty as a mirror becomes rusty, and its clarity is obtained by remembrance. It becomes naked as the body becomes naked, and its beautification is al-Taqwa. It…” quote by Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/454/ibn-qayyim-al-jawziyya-10803_als_the-heart-becomes-sick-as-the-body-becom_66500.jpg)