The Humble Programmer: Reflections on Software Crisis and the Future of Programming

This essay is a transcript of Edsger W. Dijkstra's renowned 1972 lecture, exploring the early days of programming and the escalating software crisis. Dijkstra recounts the initial lack of recognition for programming as a profession, and how the exponential increase in computer power led to a corresponding explosion in software complexity, culminating in the software crisis. He argues that the solution lies in a paradigm shift in programming methodologies, advocating for 'intellectually manageable programs' and stressing the importance of program correctness proofs, while warning against overly complex programming languages. He expresses confidence that improved languages, more structured programming approaches, and a focus on correctness will dramatically enhance software quality and development efficiency.