The general problem with ambitious systems is complexity. [...] it is important to emphasize the value of simplicity and elegance, for complexity has a way of compounding difficulties.
Fernando J. CorbatoMy definition of elegance is the achievement of a given functionality with a minimum of mechanism and a maximum of clarity.
Fernando J. CorbatoDesign bugs are often subtle and occur by evolution with early assumptions being forgotten as new features or uses are added to systems.
Fernando J. CorbatoTo our dismay, users who had been enduring several hour waits between jobs run under batch processing were suddenly restless when response times were more than a second.
Fernando J. Corbato