Argument Quote by Edsger Dijkstra

“It is a mistake to think that programmers wares are programs. Programmers have to produce trustworthy solutions and present it in the form of cogent arguments. Programs source code is just the accompanying material to which these arguments are to be applied to.”

Edsger Dijkstra

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Argument Code Failure Form Materials Mistake Produce Program Programmers Programming Solutions Source Thinking Trustworthy

More by Edsger Dijkstra

Production speed is severely slowed down if one works with half-time people who have other obligations as well. This is at least a factor…

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The computing scientist's main challenge is not to get confused by the complexities of his own making.

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Probably I am very naive, but I also think I prefer to remain so, at least for the time being and perhaps for the…

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In the good old days physicists repeated each other's experiments, just to be sure. Today they stick to FORTRAN, so that they can share…

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Don't compete with me: firstly, I have more experience, and secondly, I have chosen the weapons.

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Computer science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes.

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The use of anthropomorphic terminology forces you linguistically to adopt an operational view. And it makes it practically impossible to argue about programs independently…

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Teaching to unsuspecting youngsters the effective use of formal methods is one of the joys of life because it is so extremely rewarding.

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Please don't fall into the trap of believing that I am terribly dogmatical about [the goto statement]. I have the uncomfortable feeling that others…

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Brainpower is by far our scarcest resource.

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Programming in Basic causes brain damage.

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Several people have told me that my inability to suffer fools gladly is one of my main weaknesses.

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Explore all 103 Edsger Dijkstra quotes

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