Dijkstra Was Wrong: University Theory vs. Engineering Practice
lemire · x · 2026-08-31
Daniel Lemire reflects on Casey Muratori's talk about the 1960s software crisis. Dijkstra advocated for planning and formal verification, a path universities pushed for decades. However, practitioners like Fred Brooks realized requirements are often discovered through iteration, not pre-defined specs. Lemire draws a parallel to current AI trends, suggesting a potential disconnect between academic theory and practical engineering realities.
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