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Expecting a CS prof to know how to program is like expecting a pure mathematician to know how to use Mathematica/Matlab. It’s absurd and doesn’t follow at all.

ramraj07 7y ago
This is more like an anatomy professor who's never touched a cadaver. Far less excusable than a theoretical mathematician not knowing Matlab - because Matlab is not the only way to apply math (the mat in Matlab is for matrix not math)
- laichzeit0 7y ago
  The guy has a PhD in algorithms. He’d he writing proofs, not writing code. The same for programming languages, you’re proving things, like the Pumping Lemma. Computer Science is not about producing coders for industry. You can learn how to code from a boot camp or Coursera, but it has very little to do with Computer Science.
- adrianN 7y ago
  No this is more like an anatomy professor who doesn't know how to remove an appendix without asking a surgeon.
- leereeves 7y ago
  And C isn't the only way to apply computer science.
gpderetta 7y ago
It's more like expecting an astronomer to know how to use a telescope :)
WalterBright 7y ago
I know how to build a C++ compiler, but I'm not very good at C++ code.
- rdc12 7y ago
  Is anyone good at C++ thou, didn't Bjarne only rate himself as 7/10 at C++ coding
  - WalterBright 7y ago
    I don't know. I'm not even able to recognize good (modern) C++ code when I see it. I figure it's like being the race car designer. He can design a fast car, but he can't drive it fast. And the driver can't design it.
hyperpallium 7y ago
It's like expecting a pure mathematician to know if 57 is prime. https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Grothendieck https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Grothendieck
Ragib_Zaman 7y ago
Indeed, Dijkstra barely ever even used a computer. I can't say I agree with trashing a Prof with deep expertise in algorithms for not knowing C while doing a favour by substituting for a colleague.

ramraj07 7y ago

This is more like an anatomy professor who's never touched a cadaver. Far less excusable than a theoretical mathematician not knowing Matlab - because Matlab is not the only way to apply math (the mat in Matlab is for matrix not math)

laichzeit0 7y ago
The guy has a PhD in algorithms. He’d he writing proofs, not writing code. The same for programming languages, you’re proving things, like the Pumping Lemma. Computer Science is not about producing coders for industry. You can learn how to code from a boot camp or Coursera, but it has very little to do with Computer Science.
adrianN 7y ago
No this is more like an anatomy professor who doesn't know how to remove an appendix without asking a surgeon.
leereeves 7y ago
And C isn't the only way to apply computer science.

gpderetta 7y ago

It's more like expecting an astronomer to know how to use a telescope :)

WalterBright 7y ago

I know how to build a C++ compiler, but I'm not very good at C++ code.

rdc12 7y ago
Is anyone good at C++ thou, didn't Bjarne only rate himself as 7/10 at C++ coding
- WalterBright 7y ago
  I don't know. I'm not even able to recognize good (modern) C++ code when I see it. I figure it's like being the race car designer. He can design a fast car, but he can't drive it fast. And the driver can't design it.

hyperpallium 7y ago

It's like expecting a pure mathematician to know if 57 is prime. https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Grothendieck https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Grothendieck

Ragib_Zaman 7y ago

Indeed, Dijkstra barely ever even used a computer. I can't say I agree with trashing a Prof with deep expertise in algorithms for not knowing C while doing a favour by substituting for a colleague.