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Quote by Richard E. Pattis

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Richard E. Pattis
Richard E. Pattis

Richard E. Pattis is a renowned author whose works span across multiple fields, including computer science and philosophy. His exact birth and death dates are unknown. more

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“The discipline of programming is most like sorcery. Both use precise language to instruct inanimate objects to do our bidding. Small mistakes in programs or spells can lead to completely unforseen behavior: e.g., see the story, "The Sorcerer's Apprentice". Neither study is easy: "...her [Galinda's] early appetite for sorcery had waned once she'd heard what a grind it was to learn spells and, worse, to understand them." from the book "Wicked" by G. Maguire.”

BookStoriesUseLanguageEasyMistakeLearningStudyHeardObjectsDisciplineBehaviorProgramProgrammingWickedSpellsAppetitePreciseGrindComputer ProgrammingProgramming LanguagesComputer LanguageApprenticeBiddingSorceryInanimate ObjectsSmall Mistakes
Author:Richard E. Pattis
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“When building a complex system, having crackerjack programmers (who can make any design work, even a bad one) can be a liability. The result, after lots of effort, is a working system that cannot be easily maintained or upgraded. Good -but not great- programmers would fail early, causing a realization that the system must be redesigned, and then reimplemented. The extra cost is paid once, early in the system's cycle (when it is cheap), instead of repeatedly paid late in the system's cycle (when it is more expensive).”

ResultsEffortLearningFailingDesignBuildingCostLatePaidComplexesRealizationExtrasExpensiveProgrammingCyclesProgrammersComputer ProgrammingProgramming LanguagesComputer LanguageLiabilityComplex SystemsDesign Work
Author:Richard E. Pattis
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