Conference turris::languages

7.0. "Perfection in Synthesis" by ELUDOM::FAIMAN () Sun Jan 22 1984 21:07

I can't resist entering the following quotation.  This is from the
Winter 1983/84 issue of the Computer Museum Report, from an article
containing excerpts from a talk by Alan Perlis at the Computer
Museum on September 22, 1983, entitled "The Evolution of Software":

	Perfection in synthesis, software included, defines monuments,
	but is an encumbrance in tools.  APL is an example of such a
	synthesis.  It was designed, not by a committee, but by one
	person, which is a rarity in programming languages.  Not only
	was it designed by one person, but it also resisted evolution
	because of its initial perfection.  The only thing APL compares
	favorably to is the statue of Moses in Rome by Michelangelo.
	It has few rough edges and is made out of stone.  Perfection
	has no need for change and growth.  For languages and software
	this is the kiss of death.