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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

“Computer science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes, biology is about microscopes or chemistry is about beakers and test tubes. Science is not about tools. It is about how we use them, and what we find out when we do.”

Use Computer Tools Tests Astronomy Biology Chemistry Tubes Computer Science Telescopes Microscopes

Author:Edsger Dijkstra

“The use of anthropomorphic terminology forces you linguistically to adopt an operational view. And it makes it practically impossible to argue about programs independently of their being executed.”

Use Force Views Impossible Program Arguing Terminology

Author:Edsger Dijkstra

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

“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

“FORTRAN, the infantile disorder, by now nearly 20 years old, is hopelessly inadequate for whatever computer application you have in mind today: it is now too clumsy, too risky, and too expensive to use.”

Years Mind Use Today Computer Expensive Programming Disorder Application Inadequate Programming Languages Clumsy Computer Language Infantile

Book:Selected Writings on Computing: A personal Perspective

Source: Selected Writings on Computing: A personal Perspective

“The effort of using machines to mimic the human mind has always struck me as rather silly. I would rather use them to mimic something better.”

Mind Humans Use Effort Machines Silly Programming Human Mind Something Better

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

“We are all shaped by the tools we use, in particular: the formalisms we use shape our thinking habits, for better or for worse, and that means that we have to be very careful in the choice of what we learn and teach, for unlearning is not really possible.”

Thinking Mean Use Choices Teach Learning Particular Habit Shapes Tools Careful Programming

Author:Edsger Dijkstra

“Teaching to unsuspecting youngsters the effective use of formal methods is one of the joys of life because it is so extremely rewarding.”

Use Joy Teaching Method Formal Joy Of Life Youngsters Unsuspecting

Author:Edsger Dijkstra

“About the use of language: it is impossible to sharpen a pencil with a blunt axe. It is equally vain to try to do it with ten blunt axes instead.”

Trying Use Language Impossible Stupid Ten Vain Pencils Programming Languages Blunt Computer Language Axes Use Of Language Sharpening Pencils

Book:Selected Writings on Computing: A personal Perspective

Source: Selected Writings on Computing: A personal Perspective

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

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