Stroustrup Course Quotes & Sayings

A program that has not been tested does not work. — Bjarne Stroustrup

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. — Bjarne Stroustrup

An organization that treats its programmers as morons will soon have programmers that are willing and able to act like morons only. — Bjarne Stroustrup

It is my firm belief that all successful languages are grown and not merely designed from first principles — Bjarne Stroustrup

How to test?" is a question that cannot be answered in general. "When to test?" however, does have a general answer: as early and as often as possible. — Bjarne Stroustrup

Clearly, I reject the view that there is one way that is right for everyone and for every problem. — Bjarne Stroustrup

Always think about how a piece of code should be used: good interfaces are the essence of good code. You can hide all kinds of clever and dirty code behind a good interface if you really need such code. — Bjarne Stroustrup

I assume that a sufficiently skilled will be able to do anything not explicitly forbidden by the hardware. — Bjarne Stroustrup

Defining OO as based on the use of class hierarchies and virtual functions is also practical in that it provides some guidance as to where OO is likely to be successful. — Bjarne Stroustrup

Nobody should call themselves a professional if they only knew one language. — Bjarne Stroustrup

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

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

The connection between the language in which we think/program and the problems and solutions we can imagine is very close. For this reason restricting language features with the intent of eliminating programmer errors is at best dangerous. — Bjarne Stroustrup

To many managers, getting rid of the arrogant, undisciplined, over-paid, technology-obsessed, improperly-dressed etc. programmers would appear to be a significant added benefit — Bjarne Stroustrup

I would encourage nonproprietary standards for tools and libraries. — Bjarne Stroustrup

It is easy to study the rules of overloading and of templates without noticing that together they are one of the keys to elegant and efficient type-safe containers. — Bjarne Stroustrup

Some software is actually pretty good, by any standard. Think of the Mars Rovers, Google, and the Human Genome Project. Now, that's quality software! — Bjarne Stroustrup

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. — Bjarne Stroustrup

My list of basic tools is a partial answer to the question about what has changed: Over the past few years, large numbers of programmers have come to depend on elaborate tools to interface code with systems facilities. — Bjarne Stroustrup

I like doing research that has an impact. If I went to a company to make what they call 'real money,' I'd be just trying to make a system work as fast as possible to meet the product and serice deadlines. — Bjarne Stroustrup

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

However, when Java is promoted as the sole programming language, its flaws and limitations become serious. — Bjarne Stroustrup

I do not think that safety should be bought at the cost of complicating the expression of good solutions to real-life problems. — Bjarne Stroustrup

Anybody who comes to you and says he has a perfect language is either naive or a salesman. — Bjarne Stroustrup

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

There are more useful systems developed in languages deemed awful than in languages praised for being beautiful
many more. — Bjarne Stroustrup

People who passionately want to believe that the world is basically simple react to this with a fury that goes beyond what I consider appropriate for discussing a programming language. — Bjarne Stroustrup

More good code has been written in languages denounced as "bad' than in languages proclaimed "wonderful' - much more. — Bjarne Stroustrup

Design and programming are human activities; forget that and all is lost. — Bjarne Stroustrup

With the increasing importance of standards for system-level objects such as COM and CORBA, it is particularly important that the C++ bindings to those be clean, well documented, and simple to use. — Bjarne Stroustrup