Home / Authors / Edsger Dijkstra

Edsger Dijkstra Quotes

Computer Scientist

Edsger Dijkstra was a Dutch computer scientist known for his contributions to algorithms and programming language design. His work in graph theory, algorithm analysis, and formal methods had a profound impact on the field of computer science.

Famous Edsger Dijkstra Quotes

“A programming language is a tool that has profound influence on our thinking habits.”

Thinking Language Influence Habit Tools Profound Programming Computer Programming Programming Languages

Author:Edsger Dijkstra

“The question of whether computers can think is like the question of whether submarines can swim.”

Thinking Technology Computer Programming Swim Programmers Computer Programming Computer Science Software Engineering Submarines Computer Programmers Funny Computer

Author:Edsger Dijkstra

“Besides a mathematical inclination, an exceptionally good mastery of one's native tongue is the most vital asset of a competent programmer.”

Learning Tongue Mathematical Programming Native Assets Mastery Inclination Competent Programmers Computer Programming Programming Languages Computer Language Computer Programmers

Book:Selected Writings on Computing: A personal Perspective

Source: Selected Writings on Computing: A personal Perspective

“The use of COBOL cripples the mind; its teaching should, therefore, be regarded as a criminal offense.”

“If debugging is the process of removing software bugs, then programming must be the process of putting them in.”

“The purpose of abstraction is not to be vague, but to create a new semantic level in which one can be absolutely precise.”

Purpose Levels Design Simplicity Vague Precise Abstraction Computer Programming

Author:Edsger Dijkstra

“The tools we use have a profound and devious influence on our thinking habits, and therefore on our thinking abilities.”

Thinking Use Ability Learning Influence Habit Tools Profound Programming Computer Programming Programming Languages Computer Language Devious

Book:Selected Writings on Computing: A personal Perspective

Source: Selected Writings on Computing: A personal Perspective

“If we wish to count lines of code, we should not regard them as "lines produced" but as "lines spent."”

Ifs Should Wish Lines Learning Computer Regard Code Programming Computer Programming

Author:Edsger Dijkstra

“A most important, but also most elusive, aspect of any tool is its influence on the habits of those who train themselves in its use. If the tool is a programming language this influence is, whether we like it or not, an influence on our thinking habits.... A programming language is a tool that has profound influence on our thinking habits.”

Ifs Thinking Important Use Language Learning Influence Habit Aspect Tools Train Profound Programming Elusive Computer Programming Programming Languages Computer Language

Book:A Discipline of Programming

Source: A Discipline of Programming

“Simplicity and elegance are unpopular because they require hard work and discipline to achieve and education to be appreciated.”

Hard Achieve Design Hard Work Discipline Simplicity Programming Software Appreciated Elegance Computer Programming Software Design Simplicity And Elegance

Author:Edsger Dijkstra

“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.”

Teach Impossible Students Programming Exposure Programmers Computer Programming Computer Science Programming Languages Computer Language Regeneration Computer Programmers Programming Funny

Book:Selected Writings on Computing: A personal Perspective

Source: Selected Writings on Computing: A personal Perspective

“Computer science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes.”

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

Ideas Learning Objects California Programming Computer Programming Programming Languages Bad Ideas Computer Language

Author:Edsger Dijkstra

About the Author

Born: May 11, 1930
Died: August 6, 2002
Known for: Computer Scientist
Quotes: 105

Books & Sources

Selected Writings on Computing: A personal PerspectiveRelated source material

A Discipline of ProgrammingRelated source material

Similar Authors

Alan PerlisBrowse related quotes
Donald KnuthBrowse related quotes
Tony HoareBrowse related quotes
Richard E. PattisBrowse related quotes
Brian KernighanBrowse related quotes
Niklaus WirthBrowse related quotes
Bjarne StroustrupBrowse related quotes
Fred BrooksBrowse related quotes
Steve McConnellBrowse related quotes
Bertrand MeyerBrowse related quotes

Edsger Dijkstra Quotes

Filter quotes by topic

Famous Edsger Dijkstra Quotes