Rob Pike

In software, we make do with programs that are too complicated, too big, too slow, and too hard to understand.

The only way to go fast is to go well.

Tools amplify human intent. If the tools are bad, you're hosed. If the tools are good, then it's up to you to exert the will.

Systems software research is irrelevant.

The future of computing is in the hands of those who understand simplicity.

Code should be obvious. When it's not, add a comment.

Debugging is twice as hard as writing the code in the first place.

A good interface is better than just about anything else you can do to a system.

The most important property of a program is that it works.

Innovation comes from people meeting up in the hallways or calling each other at 10:30 at night with a new idea.

Software gets slower faster than hardware gets faster.

The art of programming is the art of managing complexity.

Don't get fancy. Provide for the common case first. Don't optimize prematurely.

Think twice, code once.

Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.

The best way to predict the future is to invent it.

In computing, the mean time to failure keeps getting shorter.

Good code is its own best documentation.

Modularity is the key to good design.

The Unix philosophy: Do one thing and do it well.