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Linus Torvalds

Linus Torvalds Quotes

Software Engineer

Linus Torvalds, born on December 28, 1969, is a renowned software engineer. He is the founder of the Linux operating system, which has had a profound impact on the global computer industry. During his studies at the University of Helsinki, Torvalds began developing Linux, releasing the first version in 1991. His work has not only promoted the development of open-source software but also advanced personal computer and server technology.

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Famous Linus Torvalds Quotes

“C++ is in that inconvenient spot where it doesn't help make things simple enough to be truly usable for prototyping or simple GUI programming, and yet isn't the lean system programming language that C is that actively encourages you to use simple and direct constructs.”

Enough Helping Use Language Simple Direct Spots Programming Constructs Programming Languages Inconvenient

Author:Linus Torvalds

“When I do programming in my free time and for my own enjoyment, I really want to have a kind of protection: knowing that when I improve a program those improvements will continue to be available to me and others in future versions of the program.”

Want Kind My Own Knowing Program Available Protection Improvement Versions Enjoyment Programming Free Time

Author:Linus Torvalds

“I'd argue that everybody wants to do something that matters, and the fact that Linux has had a huge impact on the tech market and is used virtually everywhere is obviously very personally satisfying. I think programming is fun, and the community around the kernel is great, but a project has to be relevant too.”

Thinking Want Matter Facts Used Fun Community Huge Projects Impact Arguing Programming Satisfying Relevant Linux Kernel

Author:Linus Torvalds

“Most of the good programmers do programming not because they expect to get paid or get adulation by the public, but because it is fun to program.”

Fun Work Program Paid Programming Software Programmers Computer Science Programming Languages Adulation Talk Is Cheap Programming Funny

Author:Linus Torvalds

“Intelligence is the ability to avoid doing work, yet getting the work done.”

Done Ability Intelligence Programming Work Done

Author:Linus Torvalds

“The memory management on the PowerPC can be used to frighten small children.”

Children Used Memories Management Programming Small Child Linux

Author:Linus Torvalds

“I'm perfectly happy complaining, because it's cathartic, and I'm perfectly happy arguing with people on the Internet because arguing is my favourite pastime - not programming.”

People Internet Arguing Complaining Programming Favourite Pastime Cathartic

Author:Linus Torvalds

“Given enough eyeballs, all bugs are shallow.”

Enough Given Programming Shallow Bugs Eyeballs Bazaars Testers

Author:Linus Torvalds

“Talk is cheap. Show me the code.”

Shows Code Programming Software Show Me Computer Programming Programming Languages Developers Linux Software Design Talk Is Cheap Programming Funny Coders

Author:Linus Torvalds

“The bulk of all patents are crap. Spending time reading them is stupid. It's up to the patent owner to do so, and to enforce them.”

Reading Technology Stupid Computer Spending Programming Owners Crap Computer Programming Patents Spending Time

Author:Linus Torvalds

“I will, in fact, claim that the difference between a bad programmer and a good one is whether he considers his code or his data structures more important. Bad programmers worry about the code. Good programmers worry about data structures and their relationships.”

Important Facts Differences Worry Trust Claims Structure Data Code Programming Programmers Computer Programming Computer Programmers Data Structures

Author:Linus Torvalds

“If you think your users are idiots, only idiots will use it.”

Ifs Thinking Use Inspiring Inspire Computer Idiot Programming Users Programmers Computer Programming Computer Software

Author:Linus Torvalds

“Software is like sex: It's better when it's free.”

Sex Technology Programming Software Computer Programming Developers Software Engineering Linux Computer Software

Author:Linus Torvalds

“Avoiding complexity reduces bugs.”

Simplicity Complexity Programming Avoiding Bugs Software Engineering

Author:Linus Torvalds

“Bad programmers worry about the code. Good programmers worry about data structures and their relationships.”

Worry Structure Data Code Programming Programmers Computer Programming Computer Programmers Data Structures

Author:Linus Torvalds

“Excusing bad programming is a shooting offence, no matter what the circumstances.”

Matter Funny Science Circumstances No Matter What Shooting Programming Offence

Author:Linus Torvalds

About the Author

Born: December 28, 1969
Known for: Software Engineer
Quotes: 225

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