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David Parnas
(10 Feb 1941 - )
American computer engineer.
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Science Quotes by David Parnas (5 quotes)
As a rule, software systems do not work well until they have been used, and have failed repeatedly, in real applications.
— David Parnas
My judgment is that research in 'Star Wars' is going to fail, and I believe this so strongly that I'm willing to stake my professional reputation on this. I don't believe anybody is going to build this thing.
— David Parnas
There are no standards for computer programmers and no group to certify them.
— David Parnas
When someone builds a bridge, he uses engineers who have been certified as knowing what they are doing. Yet when someone builds you a software program, he has no similar certification, even though your safety may be just as dependent upon that software working as it is upon the bridge supporting your weight.
— David Parnas
Whenever anyone says, “theoretically,” they really mean, “not really.”
— David Parnas
As quoted, without citation in Jon Fripp, Michael Fripp and, Deborah Fripp, Speaking of Science (2000), 54.
In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.
(1987) -- 
