Monday, August 2, 2010

Mastering Complexity or Not

"The computer, by virtue of its fantastic speed, seems to be the first [technology] to provide us with an environment where highly hierarchical artefacts are both possible and necessary. This challenge, viz. the confrontation with the programming task, is so unique that this novel experience can teach us a lot about ourselves. It should deepen our understanding of the processes of design and creation, it should give us better control over the task of organizing our thoughts. If it did not do so, to my taste we should not deserve the computer at all!"

Edsger W. Dijkstra:
The humble programmer (Turing award lecture, EWD 340)

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