Classic Quotes from Edsger Dijkstra

Dijkstra, as the computer scientist would know, is one of the greatest 'Computer/Math Gurus' who walked the earth. A man of amazing intellect, patience, order and methodology, he has contributed a great deal in the areas of formal system design, algorithms, operating systems, distributed systems, programming languages. Here are some of his quotes.

"Object-oriented programming is an exceptionally bad idea which could only have originated in California."

"If in physics there's something you don't understand, you can always hide behind the uncharted depths of nature. You can always blame God. You didn't make it so complex yourself. But if your program doesn't work, there is no one to hide behind. You cannot hide behind an obstinate nature. If it doesn't work, you've messed up"

"The use of COBOL cripples the mind; its teaching should, therefore, be regarded as a criminal offence."

"It is practically impossible to teach good programming to students that have had a prior exposure to BASIC: as potential programmers they are mentally mutilated beyond hope of regeneration."

"Programming is one of the most difficult branches of applied mathematics; the poorer mathematicians had better remain pure mathematicians." [ Hail Programmers !!!]

"Program testing can be a very effective way to show the presence of bugs, but is hopelessly inadequate for showing their absence." [Dijkstra was very particular about designing your code well rather than relying on testing for a bug free software]

"The question of whether Machines Can Think ... is about as relevant as the question of whether Submarines Can Swim."

"Elegance is not a dispensable luxury but a quality that decides between success and failure." [Very typical thinking of Dijkstra]

"I mean, if 10 years from now, when you are doing something quick and dirty, you suddenly visualize that I am looking over your shoulders and say to yourself "Dijkstra would not have liked this", well, that would be enough immortality for me." [What would he feel if he sees the software engineering practices which rely on Rapid Development and Prototyping!]

He is immortal for us indeed.