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Alan Kay

Alan Kay Quotes

Computer Scientist

Alan Kay is a renowned computer scientist, born on May 17, 1940. He has had a profound impact on the field of computer science, particularly in the areas of object-oriented programming and graphical user interfaces. During his tenure at Xerox PARC, Kay made significant contributions to the development of personal computers.

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Famous Alan Kay Quotes

“The flip side of the coin was that even good programmers and language designers tended to do terrible extensions when they were in the heat of programming, because design is something that is best done slowly and carefully.”

Done Language Sides Design Terrible Heat Designer Programming Extensions Coins Flip Programmers

Author:Alan Kay

“Most software today is very much like an Egyptian pyramid with millions of bricks piled on top of each other, with no structural integrity, but just done by brute force and thousands of slaves.”

“The greatest single programming language ever designed”

Language Programming Programming Languages Lisp

Author:Alan Kay

“Lisp isn't a language, it's a building material.”

Language Building Materials Programming Programming Languages Computer Language Lisp Building Materials

Author:Alan Kay

“I made up the term "object-oriented," and I can tell you I did not have C++ in mind.”

Mind I Can Term Objects Programming Computer Programming Programming Languages Computer Language

Author:Alan Kay

“Perl is another example of filling a tiny, short-term need, and then being a real problem in the longer term.”

Needs Real Problem Language Term Example Tiny Programming Filling Short Term Programming Languages Real Problems Software Engineering Perl

Author:Alan Kay

“Simple things should be simple and complex things should be possible.”

Should Simple Complexes Simplicity Programming Simple Things Computer Programming Programming Languages Computer Language Software Design Simplicity In Design Simple And Complex

Author:Alan Kay

“The most disastrous thing that you can ever learn is your first programming language.”

Firsts Language Programming Programming Languages

Author:Alan Kay

“The real romance is out ahead and yet to come. The computer revolution hasn't started yet.”

Real Romance Revolution Computer Programming

Author:Alan Kay

About the Author

Born: May 17, 1940
Known for: Computer Scientist
Quotes: 76

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