Alan Perlis

Date of Birth: April 1, 1922

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: February 7, 1990

Biography

Alan Jay Perlis was an American computer scientist known for his pioneering work in programming languages and compiler construction. Born on April 1, 1922, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Perlis made significant contributions to the field of computer science during his career. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1943 and later completed his Ph.D. in mathematics at MIT in 1950. Perlis is best known for his work on the ALGOL programming language, which was one of the first languages designed for scientific computations. He was a key figure in the development of ALGOL 60, which became a foundational language for subsequent programming languages. In 1966, Perlis became the first recipient of the Turing Award, the most prestigious award in computer science, for his influence in the area of advanced programming techniques and compiler construction. He served as a professor at several prestigious institutions, including Purdue University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Yale University. Perlis passed away on February 7, 1990, but his legacy continues to influence the field of computer science.

5 Interesting Facts about Alan Perlis

1. Alan Perlis was the first recipient of the Turing Award in 1966.

2. He played a crucial role in the development of the ALGOL programming language.

3. Perlis was a professor at Yale University from 1977 until his death in 1990.

4. He contributed to early work on compiler construction and advanced programming techniques.

5. Perlis was known for his witty and insightful epigrams on programming and computer science.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Alan Perlis

1. “A year spent in artificial intelligence is enough to make one believe in God.”

2. “Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.”

3. “Programs must be written for people to read, and only incidentally for machines to execute.”

4. “LISP programmers know the value of everything and the cost of nothing.”

5. “One man’s constant is another man’s variable.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Alan Perlis’s net worth is not publicly documented, but his highest net worth is estimated to be around a modest sum typical of an academic professional, likely not exceeding a few million dollars.