Code Quote by Fernando J. Corbato
“The number of lines of code a programmer can write in a fixed period of time is the same independent of the language used.”
About This Quote
Source Article: Programming Productivity Study, 1970s
Productivity measured by lines of code is constant regardless of language, implying language choice doesn’t affect output volume.
In simple terms: Lines of code per time stay the same across languages.
Key Takeaway
Choose language for other factors, not speed.
Themes
productivity
software engineering
efficiency
Mood
analytical
neutral
Type
technical
observational
When to use this quote
- project planning
- team staffing
- tool selection
- code reviews
Key Concepts
software metrics
language abstraction
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language affect code quality?
- What metrics matter beyond line count?
A Different Perspective
Ignores quality, readability, and maintainability differences.
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