Donald Knuth - The Art of Computer Programming (1968)

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The sun comes up just about as often as it goes down, in the long run, but this doesn't make its motion random.

Donald Knuth
People who are more than casually interested in computers should have at least some idea of what the underlying hardware is like. Otherwise the programs they write will be pretty weird.

Donald Knuth
By understanding a machine-oriented language, the programmer will tend to use a much more efficient method; it is much closer to reality.

Donald Knuth
Trees sprout up just about everywhere in computer science...

Donald Knuth
Any inaccuracies in this index may be explained by the fact that it has been sorted with the help of a computer.

Donald Knuth
Random numbers should not be generated with a method chosen at random

Donald Knuth
The reason is not to glorify "bit chasing"; a more fundamental issue is at stake here: Numerical subroutines should deliver results that satisfy simple, useful mathematical laws whenever possible. [...] Without any underlying symmetry properties, the job of proving interesting results becomes extremely unpleasant. The enjoyment of one's tools is an essential ingredient of successful work.

Donald Knuth
The process of preparing programs for a digital computer is especially attractive, not only because it can economically and scientifically rewarding, but also because it can be an aesthetic experience much like composing poetry or music.

Donald Knuth
These machines have no common sense; they have not yet learned to "think," and they do exactly as they are told, no more and no less. This fact is the hardest concept to grasp when one first tries to use a computer

Donald Knuth
I decry the current tendency to seek patents on algorithms. There are better ways to earn a living than to prevent other people from making use of one's contributions to computer science.

Donald Knuth