Characteristics Quote by Kenneth E. Iverson
“The practice of first developing a clear and precise definition of a process without regard for efficiency, and then using it as a guide and a test in exploring equivalent processes possessing other characteristics, such as greater efficiency, is very common in mathematics. It is a very fruitful practice which should not be blighted by premature emphasis on efficiency in computer execution.”
About This Quote
Source Book: A Programming Language by Kenneth E. Iverson, 1979
Define a process precisely first, then explore more efficient equivalents without letting efficiency dominate early design.
In simple terms: Start with a clear definition before optimizing.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize clarity before efficiency.
Themes
design
efficiency
mathematics
Mood
thoughtful
methodical
Type
technical
educational
When to use this quote
- software engineering
- process design
- mathematical modeling
- education
Key Concepts
Formal methods
algorithmic optimization
Questions to Reflect On
- What aspects of a problem could be missed by early efficiency focus?
- How can you balance clarity and performance?
A Different Perspective
Focusing too early on speed can limit creative solutions.
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![“The precision provided (or enforced) by programming languages and their execution can identify lacunas, ambiguities, and other areas of potential confusion in conventional [mathematical] notation.” quote by Kenneth E. Iverson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d25/kenneth-e-iverson-37528_ambiguity_the-precision-provided-or-enforced-by-pr_471194.jpg)
![“Although mathematical notation undoubtedly possesses parsing rules, they are rather loose, sometimes contradictory, and seldom clearly stated. [...] The proliferation of programming languages shows no more uniformity than mathematics. Nevertheless, programming languages do bring a different…” quote by Kenneth E. Iverson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1ab/kenneth-e-iverson-37528_application_although-mathematical-notation-undoubted_1904632.jpg)
