On Computer Programming

• Any given program, when running, is obsolete
• Any given program costs more and takes longer
• If a program is useful, it will have to be changed
• If a program is useless, it will have to be documented
• Any program will expand to fill available memory
• The value of a program is proportional to the weight of its output
• Program complexity grows until it exceeds the capabilities of the programmer who must maintain it
• Any non-trivial program contains at least one bug
• Undetectable errors are infinite in variety, in contrast to detectable errors, which by definition are limited
• Adding manpower to a late software project makes it later
• There's always one more bug
• When working towards the solution of a problem, it always helps if you know the answer
• Inside every small problem is a large problem struggling to get out
• Complex problems have simple, easy to understand wrong answers
• The chief cause of problems is solutions
• The solution to a problem changes the problem