Dennis Ritchie

Computer Science American 1941 – 2011 387 quotes

Created C language and co-created Unix

Quotes by Dennis Ritchie

In the end, it's the code that lasts.

Final note 2011

The C language is not a 'high-level' language in the sense of Algol, PL/I, or Pascal. It is a relatively low-level language, in that it deals with the same sort of objects that most computers do: characters, numbers, and addresses.

The C Programming Language (First Edition) 1978

UNIX was not designed to be easy for novices to use; it was designed to be easy for experts to use.

Attributed

C has been characterized as a 'system programming language' because it is useful for writing operating systems and other systems software. This is true, but it is also a useful language for many other kinds of programs.

The C Programming Language (First Edition) 1978

The success of C is due to its combination of low-level access with high-level control structures, its efficiency, and its portability.

The Development of the C Language 1993

The UNIX system was designed to be simple, elegant, and powerful. It achieved these goals by providing a small set of powerful tools that could be combined in many ways.

Attributed

C is a relatively small language, and it is not difficult to learn. However, it is a powerful language, and it can be used to write very complex programs.

The C Programming Language (First Edition) 1978

The design of C was driven by the need for a language that could be used to write the UNIX operating system.

The Development of the C Language 1993

UNIX is a testament to the power of simplicity.

Attributed

The C language is a general-purpose programming language that has been closely associated with the Unix operating system where it was developed.

The C Programming Language (Second Edition) 1988

C is a language that allows you to get close to the machine, but still provides high-level constructs.

Attributed

The UNIX philosophy is to write programs that do one thing and do it well. Write programs to work together. Write programs to handle text streams, because that is a universal interface.

Attributed

C is a language that is both powerful and dangerous. It gives you the freedom to do almost anything, but it also gives you the freedom to shoot yourself in the foot.

Attributed

The development of C was an evolutionary process, driven by the needs of the UNIX project.

The Development of the C Language 1993

UNIX is a small, elegant, and powerful operating system that has had a profound impact on the computing world.

Attributed

C is a language that is designed for efficiency and control.

The C Programming Language (First Edition) 1978

The success of UNIX and C is a testament to the power of simplicity and good design.

Attributed

C is a language that is often used for systems programming, but it is also suitable for a wide range of other applications.

The C Programming Language (Second Edition) 1988

The UNIX system was designed to be a multi-user, multi-tasking operating system.

Attributed

C is a language that provides a good balance between low-level control and high-level abstraction.

Attributed