Gerald Weinberg

Gerald Weinberg

Theorist

October 27, 1933 – August 7, 2018

Inducted in the Inaugural Class (1990)

Notable accomplishments:

  • Credited with beginning the study of software engineering as human behavior
  • Led the team that developed the operating systems for Project Mercury while with IBM
  • Authored several hundred articles and more than 30 books

Quotes:
“The best computer programmers never write a new program when they can use an old one for a new job.” (“Becoming a Technical Leader: An Organic Problem-Solving Approach,” 1986)

“A system is never finished being developed until it ceases to be used.” (“Towards a CSCW Framework for Scientific Cooperation in Europe,” Hannes P. Lubich, 1995)

“If builders built houses the way programmers built programs, the first woodpecker to come along would destroy civilization.” (“Mastering Software Quality Assurance: Best Practices, Tools and Technique for Software Developers,” Murali Chemuturi, 2010)

“Generally, the most powerful learning occurs when someone produces a better solution than you had imagined.” (Secrets of Consulting (his personal blog), July 29, 2018)

Suggested reading:
“The Psychology of Computer Programming,” by Gerald Weinberg (1971)

“An Introduction to General Systems Thinking,” by Gerald Weinberg (1975)

“Weinberg on Writing: The Fieldstone Method,” by Gerald Weinberg (2005)

Learn more:
Gerald Weinberg’s own website