Alan Jay Perlis was an American computer scientist and professor, known for his contributions to the field of programming languages and computer science education. He was the first recipient of the Turing Award in 1966, recognizing his pioneering work in advancing the theory and practice of programming languages. Perlis made significant contributions to the development of early programming languages, including ALGOL, and played a key role in the design and implementation of the MAD programming language. He also made notable contributions to the development of early programming methodologies and software engineering practices. Perlis was known for his wit and humor, as well as his insightful quotes and aphorisms on programming and computer science, which continue to inspire and educate generations of students and professionals in the field. His legacy includes shaping the foundations of modern programming languages and methodologies, as well as advancing computer science education and research.
Alan Jay Perlis (April 1, 1922 – February 7, 1990) was an American computer scientist and professor at Purdue University, Carnegie Mellon University and Yale University. He is best known for his pioneering work in programming languages and was the first recipient of the Turing Award.