Computer Quote by Donald Knuth
“Programs are meant to be read by humans and only incidentally for computers to execute.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Art of Computer Programming, 1968
Code should prioritize human readability, with machine execution as a secondary concern.
In simple terms: Write code for people first.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize clarity over cleverness.
Themes
programming
readability
human-centered design
Mood
pragmatic
technical
Type
technical
educational
When to use this quote
- code reviews
- education
- documentation
Key Concepts
software engineering
cognitive ergonomics
Questions to Reflect On
- How to balance readability and efficiency?
- When is machine optimization justified?
A Different Perspective
Sometimes performance demands compromise readability.
![“[The Euclidean algorithm is] the granddaddy of all algorithms, because it is the oldest nontrivial algorithm that has survived to the present day.” quote by Donald Knuth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/880/donald-knuth-8762_algorithms_the-euclidean-algorithm-is-the-granddadd_96085.jpg)
