Computer Quote by Edsger Dijkstra

“It used to be the program's purpose to instruct our computers; it became the computer's purpose to execute our programs.”

Edsger Dijkstra

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Computer Computers Program Programming Purpose Used Used to be

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…

Edsger Dijkstra

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

Edsger Dijkstra

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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.

Edsger Dijkstra

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

Edsger Dijkstra

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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…

Edsger Dijkstra

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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.

Edsger Dijkstra

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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…

Edsger Dijkstra

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Brainpower is by far our scarcest resource.

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Programming in Basic causes brain damage.

Edsger Dijkstra

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

Edsger Dijkstra

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Explore all 103 Edsger Dijkstra quotes

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