"Legacy code" often differs from its suggested alternative by actually working and scaling.

C makes it easy to shoot yourself in the foot; C++ makes it harder, but when you do it blows your whole leg off.

C++ is designed to allow you to express ideas, but if you don't have ideas or don't have any clue about how to express them, C++ doesn't offer much help.

First, I'd like to see the basic tools such as compilers, debuggers, profilers, database interfaces, GUI builders, CAD tools, and so forth fully support the ISO standard.

After all, C++ isn't a perfect match for Java's design aims either.

When done well, software is invisible.

There's an old story about the person who wished his computer were as easy to use as his telephone. That wish has come true, since I no longer know how to use my telephone.

The first law of computer science: Every problem is solved by yet another indirection.

C++ is my favorite garbage collected language because it generates so little garbage

It's easy to win forgiveness for being wrong; being right is what gets you into real trouble.

An organisation that treats its programmers as morons will soon have programmers that are willing and able to act like morons only.

The last thing we wanted was for the Machiguenga to be sad again. Sadness appeared to bring out their violence.

The decision to write in prose instead of poetry is made more by the readers than by writers. Almost no one is interested in reading narrative in verse.

Cruelty to animals can become violence to humans.

In nature, no organic substance is synthesized unless there is provision for its degradation; recycling is enforced.

We read to find ourselves, more fully and more strangely than otherwise we could hope to find.

I'm not a cineaste. I've made so few films. Sometimes it feels each one is the last one or the first one.

I worry a little bit about - quote - "regime change." We haven't had a great deal of success with that in years. That's just really difficult.

People who type with their iPhones on loud are barbarians and probably killers.

Illuminated by the same joyful curiosity and erudition, lyric writing, and plain love of life that made a classic of Archie Carr's The Windward Road.

Everyone always says that having kids is messy and sloppy. It's true, but you as a parent have to try to bring some boundaries and control over that experience, or you'd have out-of-control kids.