Edsger Wybe Dijkstra

Edsger Wybe Dijkstra

Dutch computer scientist. One of the most influential members of computing science’s founding generation. Helped shape the field of computer science through his fundamental contributions to: algorithm design, programming languages, program design, operating systems, distributed processing, formal specification and verification and design of mathematical arguments. Received the 1972 Turing Award and was the Schlumberger Centennial Chair of Computer Sciences at The University of Texas from 1984 until 2000.

Snake oil

What society overwhelmingly asks for is snake oil. Of course, the snake oil has the most impressive names — otherwise you would be selling nothing — like «Structured Analysis and Design», «Software Engineering», «Maturity Models», «Management Information Systems», «Integrated Project Support Environments» «Object Orientation» and «Business Process Re-engineering» (the latter three being known as IPSE, OO and BPR, respectively).

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