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David Parnas Quotes

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David Parnas is a prominent scholar in the field of computer science, born on February 10, 1941. His specific career category is unknown.

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All Programmers Software Programming Computer Artificial Artificial Intelligence Computer Programmers Design Engineers Has Beens

Famous David Parnas Quotes

“Artificial intelligence has the same relation to intelligence as artificial flowers have to flowers.”

Flower Relation Artificial Intelligence Artificial Artificial Flowers

Author:David Parnas

“We must not forget that the wheel is reinvented so often because it is a very good idea; I've learned to worry more about the soundness of ideas that were invented only once.”

Ideas Forget Worry Very Good I've Learned Wheels Programming Software Good Ideas Software Engineering Soundness

Author:David Parnas

“Requirements in mathematical language are no use unless they are easier to read than the code.”

Use Language Easier Mathematical Code Requirements

Author:David Parnas

“Complexity is not a goal. I don't want to be remembered as an engineer of complex systems.”

Want Goal Complexes Remembered Complexity Engineers Complex Systems

Author:David Parnas

“With software products, it is usual to find that the software has major `bugs' and does not work reliably for some users... The lay public, familiar with only a few incidents of software failure, may regard them as exceptions caused by exceptionally inept programmers. Those of us who are software professionals know better; the most competent programmers in the world cannot avoid such problems.”

Knows World May Doe Problem Products Majors Regard Lays Familiar Exception Software Usual Users Bugs Incidents Competent Programmers

Author:David Parnas

“Whenever anyone says, 'theoretically', they really mean, 'not really'.”

Mean Science Humorous Experiments Really Mean Mean Girls

Author:David Parnas

“Copy and paste is a design error.”

Design Errors Programming Copies Funny Inspirational Software Engineering

Author:David Parnas

“As a rule, software systems do not work well until they have been used, and have failed repeatedly, in real applications.”

“One bad programmer can easily create two new jobs a year.”

Years Two Jobs Programmers New Job Software Development

Author:David Parnas

“Many spend their time berating practitioners for not applying their method. We all need to disseminate our ideas, but most of our time should be spent applying and improving our methods, not selling them. The best way to sell a mouse trap is to display some trapped mice.”

Way Needs Should Ideas Computer Method Sells Best Way Selling Our Time Display Trapped Traps Mice Improving Mouse Traps Berating

Author:David Parnas

“Find the simplest model that is not a lie is the key to better software design.”

Lying Design Keys Models Software Simplest Software Design

Author:David Parnas

“There are no standards for computer programmers and no group to certify them.”

Groups Computer Standards Programmers Computer Programmers

Author:David Parnas

“My judgment is that research in 'Star Wars' is going to fail, and I believe this so strongly that I'm willing to stake my professional reputation on this. I don't believe anybody is going to build this thing.”

Believe War I Believe Stars Failing Willing Judgment Research Don't Believe Reputation Stakes

Author:David Parnas

“When someone builds a bridge, he uses engineers who have been certified as knowing what they are doing. Yet when someone builds you a software program, he has no similar certification, even though your safety may be just as dependent upon that software working as it is upon the bridge supporting your weight.”

May Has Beens Use Knowing Program Weight Safety Bridges Dependent Software Engineers

Author:David Parnas

“I have found that the reason a lot of people are interested in artificial intelligence is the same reason a lot of people are interested in artificial limbs: they are missing one.”

People Reason Found Missing Programming Artificial Intelligence Artificial Limbs Programmers

Author:David Parnas

About the Author

Born: February 10, 1941
Known for: Author
Quotes: 15

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