I first learned BASIC when I was a youngin' too. There's a lot of hyperbole in these "Truths"; I think he's just decrying the poor state of programming languages in those days. I wouldn't take it too literally.
(but who knows? maybe we really are rubbish programmers. Better get started on learning lisp just in case.)
In fact, I'm not sure how many of these are true in academic computer science today. The first one "Programming is one of the most difficult branches of applied mathematics; the poorer mathematicians had better remain pure mathematicians." just sounds like bragging between academic camps.
>The first one "Programming is one of the most difficult branches of applied mathematics; the poorer mathematicians had better remain pure mathematicians." just sounds like bragging between academic camps.
From a mathematical/proofs point of view, computer science is much harder then many forms of applied math. Sure, basic programming isn't all that difficult, but algorithm design and some of the more complex fields, like computer vision? Proofs of correctness are harder on algorithms (you need more in your head, state wise, then you do to a simple inductive proof), and even basic edge detection (Let's say 'Canny', because that's a particular algorithm) requires a deep, intuitive understanding of multivariable calculus.
(but who knows? maybe we really are rubbish programmers. Better get started on learning lisp just in case.)
In fact, I'm not sure how many of these are true in academic computer science today. The first one "Programming is one of the most difficult branches of applied mathematics; the poorer mathematicians had better remain pure mathematicians." just sounds like bragging between academic camps.