Einstein repeatedly argued that there must be simplified explanations of nature, because God is not capricious or arbitrary. No such faith comforts the software engineer.

Adjusting to the requirement for perfection is, I think, the most difficult part of learning to program.

I am more convinced than ever. Conceptual integrity is central to product quality.

Show me your flowcharts and conceal your tables, and I shall continue to be mystified. Show me your tables, and I won't usually need your flowcharts; they'll be obvious.

The boss must first distinguish between action information and status information. He must discipline himself not to act on problems his managers can solve, and never to act on problems when he is explicitly reviewing status.

Design work doesn't just satisfy requirements, it elicits them.

Improving your process won't move you from good to great design. It'll move you from bad to average.