Historical Figure
Edsger W. Dijkstra
1930–2002
Dutch computer scientist (1930–2002)
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Biography
Edsger Wybe Dijkstra was a Dutch computer scientist, programmer, mathematician, and science essayist.
Timeline
The story of Edsger W. Dijkstra, told in moments.
Became the Netherlands' first programmer, hired at the Mathematical Centre in Amsterdam. The field barely existed. He had to invent his job description.
Formulated the shortest path algorithm in about twenty minutes while sitting at a cafe in Amsterdam. The algorithm now bears his name and is used in everything from GPS navigation to network routing.
Published "Go To Statement Considered Harmful." The letter became one of the most cited arguments in computer science. It didn't end the debate, but it won it.
Won the Turing Award for fundamental contributions to programming. He was 42. Continued producing handwritten manuscripts he called EWDs. He wrote over 1,300 of them.
Died of cancer in Nuenen, the Netherlands. The same town where Van Gogh once painted. Dijkstra had spent his last years writing, arguing, and insisting that elegance in software was not optional.
In Their Own Words (20)
It is not the task of the University to offer what society asks for, but to give what society needs.
Dijkstra (2000), "Answers to questions from students of Software Engineering" (EWD 1305)., 2000
May, in spite of all distractions generated by technology, all of you succeed in turning information into knowledge, knowledge into understanding, and understanding into wisdom.
Dijkstra (1998), 1998
It is time to unmask the computing community as a Secret Society for the Creation and Preservation of Artificial Complexity.
Dijkstra (1996) "The next fifty years" (EWD 1243a)., 1996
I mean, if 10 years from now, when you are doing something quick and dirty, you suddenly visualize that I am looking over your shoulders and say to yourself "Dijkstra would not have liked this", well, that would be enough immortality for me.
Dijkstra (1995) "Introducing a course on calculi" (EWD 1213)., 1995
Probably I am very naive, but I also think I prefer to remain so, at least for the time being and perhaps for the rest of my life.
(Referring to his conclusion to the Barber paradox or Russell's paradox.), 1985
Artifacts (15)
this man would someday be known as the world's greatest leader.
rity there. He mentioned al-Qaeda and said the organization "could use memberships from Americans". He mentioned Osama bin Laden and said "this man would someday be known as the world's greatest...
Mohamed the son of Mohamed Elamir awad Elsayed
Awad el-Sayed Atta", and went by the name Mohamed el-Amir at the Hamburg University of Technology. In his will, written in 1996, Atta gives his name as "Mohamed the son of Mohamed Elamir awad...
the picture that came out in the newspaper, that's exactly what that man looked ...
entioned Osama bin Laden and said "this man would someday be known as the world's greatest leader." Bryant said "the picture that came out in the newspaper, that's exactly what that man looked like."...
attractive and self-confident. She observed Muslim customs, taking taxis to and ...
nian woman who worked for a planning bureau in the city. Volker Hauth, who was traveling with Atta, described Amal as "attractive and self-confident. She observed Muslim customs, taking taxis to and...
He wanted to finance a twin-engine, six-passenger aircraft and remove the seats,
ited States (see below). According to Bryant, Atta wanted to finance the purchase of a crop-duster. "He wanted to finance a twin-engine, six-passenger aircraft and remove the seats," Bryant told ABC's...
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