The Developer and the Sophist

Here's an amusing koan (by Frank Atanassow) that I would like to share with you:

The sophist says, `Users demand correct software.'
The developer rightly replies, `Correctness is an illusion. The program exists or it does not exist; it behaves as it behaves. Motibo ergo sum.'

The sophist counters, `What users want is an illusion?'

`No. We exist only to serve. Such is our purpose. But our masters are fickle,' says the developer. `They do not know their minds, which are clouded by their own desires.'

`How can you serve your master when you do not acknowledge his desires?'

`We are clever and nimble. Though a chasm lies between us, our master may say, ``Come hither,'' and we run elsewhere very quickly, knowing his true mind.'

`Why do you not build a bridge?'

`We have no such art; do you think us engineers?'

`Then why do you not tell him you cannot please him?'

`Simpleton! Who bites the hand that feeds? He is anywise oft amused by our agile antics. We do not go where he asks, but where we go, we go quickly.'

Here endeth the lesson.

The original discussion was about whether or not Microsoft could ever be expected to solve all buffer-overflow security bugs.

Posted on July 21, 2003 03:18 PM
More programming articles

Comments

Dancing Girl Dresses: This dancing girl has lots of dresses to wear during her dancing lessons
Dancing Dresses
Dresses Online Shop
For prom dresses, formal dresses, evening gowns, cocktail dresses and more, ShopDress.com is your one-stop online designer

dress boutique
Fashion Gowns
Cheap Evening Dresses
Dresses, evening, cocktail, prom dresses, formal gowns from eDressMe. Homecoming dresses and bridesmaid
Evening Dresses
Prom Dress
Lingerie Sale

Posted by: boyy at October 23, 2009 09:19 AM

dress boutique
Fashion Gowns
Cheap Evening Dresses
Dresses, evening, cocktail, prom dresses, formal gowns from eDressMe. Homecoming dresses and bridesmaid
Evening Dresses
Prom Dress
Lingerie Sale

Posted by: boyy at October 23, 2009 09:20 AM

Thanks for your useful info, I think it’s a good topic. So would you like the info about the
jordan shoes
Air jordan shoes
cardy ugg boots
Tiffany Jewelry
ugg bailey button boots
cheap jordan shoes
ugg boots uk
Michael jordan shoes
ugg london
ugg nightfall boots
ugg boots sale
classic ugg boots
sundance ugg boots
air jordan fusion 6
air jordan 6 rings
jordan shoes for sale

Posted by: xinxi at October 25, 2009 09:18 PM

Louis Vuitton , commonly referred to as Louis Vuitton Sunglasses and Louis Vuitton Luggage Replica, or sometimes shortened to Gucci Belt has become one of the most Louis Vuitton Belt Agendas luxurybrands Louis Bags.

Posted by: 1 at November 17, 2009 01:46 AM

UGG Bailey Button bootsis a new style in 2009.The classic cardy uggs boots is another hot boots that worth of buying.And the classic tall ugg boots will make your winter amusing.And now uggs on sale,if you are looking for such a boot,the ugg boots is good choice this year.

Posted by: uggs on sale at November 17, 2009 08:30 PM

Uggs on sale now.Classic cardy boots ugg is a special boot that makes you different from the other girls.And the Bailey Button UGGs is hot in 2009.If you want to get a warm shoe in cold winter,I think ugg classic tall boots is a good choice for you.

Posted by: ugg classic cardy boots at November 17, 2009 09:01 PM

rolex replica
A.Lange & Sohne replica
Alain Silberstein replica

Posted by: rolex replica at November 19, 2009 01:03 AM

Good day! Thx for your great post and Im thinking about how to introduce my ugg boots to you cos Im not sure if u like this. Many people who live in the cold area like the ugg boots, especially the north-europe. Our uggshare.co.uk supply the cheapest classic cardy ugg boots, class tall ugg boots, classic short ugg boots and other series of uggs, hope my words didn’t trouble u, cy!

Posted by: ugg boots at November 19, 2009 09:06 PM

We are the best online sales for the china wholesale . Here you can have a large of choices of kinds Ugg Boots,Converse Shoes,Timberland Boots,puma shoes,Nike Shox Shoes ,Nike Dunk SB Shoes,Nike Air Max，Links Of London,Tiffany Jewelry,Dior Handbags?,jimmy choo handbags ,Cartier Watches, 8GB Mp4 Players,Bluetooth Car DVDs. All our cheap online cheap goods are high quality and original packages, and best service. We offer our customers the best service, 7 days arrive at your door.Enjoy your easy and happy shopping with us.

Posted by: cheap goods sale. at November 20, 2009 01:52 AM

discount nike air yeezy

wholesale online"> china wholesale online

discount ugg

boots
nike free shoes
furture
ugg boots
Discount store

Posted by: nike-airyeezy at November 20, 2009 03:13 AM

Supra Shoes
Supra Skytop Shoes
Supra Society
Supra Thunder
Supra Suprano Hi
Supra Strapped
Supra Trinity
Supra Skylow 1.5
Supra Dixon
Diablo 1.5
Supra Cruizer
Supra Vaider Shoes
Supra Cuban

Posted by: Supra Shoes at November 20, 2009 05:33 AM

People all over the world know the abercrombie and fitch,but not everyone really knows how fashion the abercrombie is,hollister is the Legend maker. Everybody wears the hollister clothing would be the abercrombie mens and the abercrombie womens, if you want know you can search the Ruehl No.925 or abercrombie outlet in the www.google.com .

Posted by: fitch at November 21, 2009 03:57 AM

Laptop Battery Laptop Battery Laptop Batteries
Laptop Batteries discount laptop battery
discount laptop battery
notebook battery notebook battery
computer battery computer battery
replacement laptop battery replacement laptop battery
notebook batteries notebook batteries

Posted by: Laptop Battery at November 24, 2009 10:18 PM

rongTiffany Jewelry Online - Discount Tiffany & Co Jewelry On Sale

Hot Sell Tiffany Jewelry - Tiffany Jewelry Online

Return To Tiffany Double Heart Detachable Pendant Necklace - Tiffany Jewelry Online

Tiffany&Co 1837 Titanium I.D. Bracelet - Tiffany Jewelry Online
Tiffany & Co Bead Bracelet - Tiffany Jewelry Online

Tiffany&Co Atlas Round Pendant Necklace - Tiffany Jewelry Online
Tiffany&Co Bar Pendant Necklace - Tiffany Jewelry Online
Tiffany&Co Bead Necklace(N242) - Tiffany Jewelry Online
Tiffany&Co Bean Pendant Necklace(N157) - Tiffany Jewelry Online

Tiffany&Co Elsa Peretti Apple Pendant Necklace - Tiffany Jewelry Online
Tiffany&Co Butterfly Pendant Necklace - Tiffany Jewelry Online

Posted by: at November 25, 2009 07:35 AM

China Electronics Wholesale China

Phone Cheap Cell Phones

href="http://www.thechinaphone.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&keyword=China%20Wholesale">China

Wholesale

replica handbags
Louis Vuitton Replica
Louis Vuitton handbags
fake Louis Vuitton bags
fake Louis Vuitton
replica rolex
replica rolex
fake rolex
buy cheap fake rolex
rolex Submariner

Posted by: lovebo at November 29, 2009 10:41 AM

Just wanted to say great job with the blog, today is my first visit here and I’ve enjoyed reading your posts so far
ugg bailey button
Wow, my ugg classic mini will not be coming off now! I’ve had them on for 12hrs strait and I do not want to take them off. Thanks for everything, well worth the wait.

Posted by: ugg bailey button boots at November 30, 2009 06:33 AM

Speedy 30

Louis Vuitton Speedy 30

Replica Louis Vuitton Speedy 30

Louis Vuitton Replica Speedy 30

Tivoli PM

Posted by: fanqin at December 1, 2009 03:02 AM

Posted by: Jimmy Choo Handbags at December 1, 2009 04:38 AM

watches replica
Breitling watch for sale
IWC replica
Rolex Day Date watch for sale
Hermes watches
automatic watches

Posted by: Breitling watch for sale at December 1, 2009 08:23 AM

nike air max 2009
discount air max 2009
nike mens low dunk
nike air max 360
cheap adidas shoes
Adidas 35TH Anniversary
Women's Adidas 35th Anniversary
adidas adicolor shoes
dicount UGG Lo Pro Button
ugg new arrivals
cheap ugg nightfall boots
ugg sundance boots
ugg ultra tall boots sale
ugg mayfaire boots on sale

Posted by: sindee at December 1, 2009 11:39 AM

replica watches
Longines watch for sale
replica Breitling
Cartier watch for sale
Tudor watches
thomas wylde

Posted by: replica Audemars Piguet at December 1, 2009 11:54 PM

ugg boots sale at a time when large heat has set off a winter 08/09 to Ewha.Outlines the

warm wool winter fashion degree to wool crocheted wool ugg boots uk to join after the

body does not stimulate your skin soft, soft comfort UP. Fashion can not without
ugg boots presence in Winter.and ugg boots have many series.such as:
ugg classic
UGG Bailey Button boots
ugg nightfall
ugg kids

Posted by: uggboots at December 2, 2009 09:02 PM