In The Software Business There Are Many

Yes, I Share Your Concern: How To Program Well -though A Teachable Topic- Is Hardly Taught. The Situation Is Similar To That In Mathematics, Where The Explicit Curriculum Is Confined To Mathematical Results; How To Do Mathematics Is Something The Student Must Absorb By Osmosis, So To Speak. One Reason For Preferring Symbol-manipulating, Calculating Arguments Is That Their Design Is Much Better Teachable Than The Design Of Verbal/pictorial Arguments. Large-scale Introduction Of Courses On Such Calculational Methodology, However, Would Encounter Unsurmoutable Political Problems.

Teaching Cobol Ought To Be Regarded As A Criminal Act.

Raise Your Quality Standards As High As You Can Live With, Avoid Wasting Your Time On Routine Problems, And Always Try To Work As Closely As Possible At The Boundary Of Your Abilities. Do This, Because It Is The Only Way Of Discovering How That Boundary Should Be Moved Forward.

The Problems Of The Real World Are Primarily Those You Are Left With When You Refuse To Apply Their Effective Solutions.

Many Mathematicians Derive Part Of Their Self-esteem By Feeling Themselves The Proud Heirs Of A Long Tradition Of Rational Thinking; I Am Afraid They Idealize Their Cultural Ancestors.