Alan J. Perlis
Alan J. Perlis: A Pioneering Computer Scientist
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Alan Jay Perlis was born on April 1, 1922, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is commonly referred to as AJ Perlis.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: April 1, 1922
Passed away: September 14, 1990
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Perlis was an American computer scientist who made significant contributions to the field of computer science. He is best known for his work on compiler design and his influential book "A Language for Programming" (1957).
Early Life and Background
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Perlis grew up in a family that valued education. His father, a Russian immigrant, was a successful businessman who encouraged Alan's interest in mathematics and engineering from an early age. Perlis attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. He later earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Duke University.
Major Accomplishments
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Perlis made several groundbreaking contributions to computer science:
Compiler Design: Perlis worked on the development of compiler design principles, which laid the foundation for modern programming languages.
A Language for Programming (1957): This influential book introduced a new language for programming and provided a comprehensive overview of compiler design.
Notable Works or Actions
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Perlis was an active member of the computer science community. Some notable works include:
The First Professor of Computer Science at Yale University: Perlis played a pivotal role in establishing the Computer Science department at Yale, where he served as the first professor.
Founding Member of ACM (Association for Computing Machinery): Perlis was one of the founding members of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), which is now a leading professional organization for computer scientists worldwide.
Impact and Legacy
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Perlis's work had a profound impact on the development of computer science:
Compiler Design Principles: His contributions to compiler design have shaped the way programming languages are developed, tested, and maintained.
Influence on Computer Science Education: Perlis was instrumental in establishing computer science as a distinct field of study. His influence can be seen in the curriculum and pedagogy used in computer science education today.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Perlis is widely quoted for his insights into programming and computing:
"A good programmer is someone who always looks both ways before crossing a one-way street."
"The best way to get started with artificial intelligence is to make it do something useful, rather than just trying to get it to think like you do."
Perlis's quotes and writings continue to inspire computer scientists, programmers, and educators worldwide. His legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of innovation, collaboration, and critical thinking in advancing our understanding of computing and its applications.
[ Return to Quotes ]
Quotes by Alan J. Perlis
Alan J. Perlis's insights on:
One does not learn computing by using a hand calculator, but one can forget arithmetic. Perlis 1982.
Every reader should ask himself periodically “Toward what end, toward what end?”—but do not ask it too often lest you pass up the fun of programming for the constipation of bittersweet philosophy.
One does not learn computing by using a hand calculator, but one can forget arithmetic. Perlis 1982
It goes against the grain of modern education to teach children to program. What fun is there in making plans, acquiring discipline in organizing thoughts, devoting attention to detail and learning to be self-critical?
Every reader should ask himself periodically ``Toward what end, toward what end?'' -- but do not ask it too often lest you pass up the fun of programming for the constipation of bittersweet philosophy.
Programmers are not to be measured by their ingenuity and their logic but by the completeness of their case analysis.
A language that doesn't affect the way you think about programming is not worth knowing.
The string is a stark data structure and everywhere it is passed there is much duplication of process. It is a perfect vehicle for hiding information.
What's in your hands I think and hope is intelligence: the ability to see the machine as more than when you were first led up to it that you can make it more.