FORTRAN

This will really show my age. And my history!

It’s been a long time since I remember reading a book or article by Edsger Dijkstra, and unfortunately I can’t remember the reference and I can’t find the exact quote. But this is close.

“In hiring, I ask the prospect if he knows FORTRAN? If he says ‘yes’ then I don’t hire him!”
— Edsger Dijkstra

(Perhaps the reference was to BASIC, or COBOL, instead of FORTRAN, but same idea)

Sadly, despite my own history, I have to think Dijkstra was right. But, fortunately, he has another quote that I was able to find that makes me feel a little better.

“Perfecting oneself is as much unlearning as it is learning.”
— Edsger Dijkstra