Technology Laws

-computers always start counting from zero, except sometimes
-Grabel's Law: Two is not equal to three, even for very large values of two
-Best's Law: If data resides in two places, it will be inconsistent
-Pournelle's Law: Cables do matter. When something doesn't work, always check the cables.
-Skinner's Constant: That factor which when multiplied by, divided by, added to, or subtracted from the answer you got, gives you the answer you should have gotten.

The disconnect between English and Computers:
Fail safe systems do, Operating systems don't, Machine independent code isn't. Applications don't apply, facilities don't facilitate, plugins always come factory fitted with the wrong plug. The two most abused words in all of computing are user-friendly

And don't forget Atkinson's Fourth Law: There will be one operating system, one programming language, and one philosophy of system administration only after there is only one language spoken and one religion practiced on the face of the earth.

 

That about covers it.

I might add:

Instructions that use the word "simply" aren't simple.

Descriptions that use the word "robust" mean that whatever it is has more "features" than you'll ever need or use.

 

Ah, but 2.999999999999999... = 3, as one who likes maths might argue. ;)

 

since debugging is the process of removing bugs from code, is programming the process of putting them in?

 

As a programmer, I'd have to say that this is a very good definition of programming!

 

programs are always right, programmers are occasionally right.

I heard a great one last week, while discussing the mislocation of a couple holes in a component, and the resulting problems with installation, the explanation came back from product engineering.

"The CAD software did not take into account the displacement because of the weight of the equipment"

In other words, "We screwed up"