An algorithm must be seen to be believed.

In fact what I would like to see is thousands of computer scientists let loose to do whatever they want. That's what really advances the field.

The most important thing in the programming language is the name. A language will not succeed without a good name. I have recently invented a very good name and now I am looking for a suitable language.

I define UNIX as 30 definitions of regular expressions living under one roof.

...methods are more important than facts. The educational value of a problem given to a student depends mostly on how often the thought processes that are invoked to solve it will be helpful in later situations. It has little to do with how useful the answer to the problem may be. On the other hand, a good problem must also motivate the students; they should be interested in seeing the answer. Since students differ so greatly, I cannot expect everyone to like the problems that please me.

Meta-design is much more difficult than design; it's easier to draw something than to explain how to draw it.

Programs are meant to be read by humans and only incidentally for computers to execute.