编程之道--Book Two - The Ancient Masters

摘自《编程之道》

将此书献给那些爱笑也爱思考的程序设计者,以及那些同程序设计者打交道的管理人员,当然他们也爱笑爱思考。 

编程之道--Book Two - The Ancient Masters

Thus spake the master programmer:

编程大师如是说:

"After three days without programming, life becomes meaningless."

三日不编程,食肉无味。

2.1

The programmers of old were mysterious and profound. We cannot fathomtheir thoughts, so all we do is describe their appearance.

远古时代的编程大师们高深莫测,我们不能揣测他们的所思所想,只能描述外表所见。

Aware, like a fox crossing the water. Alert, like a general on thebattlefield. Kind, like a hostess greeting her guests. Simple, likeuncarved blocks of wood. Opaque, like black pools in darkened caves.

他达明,如狐狸过水;机警,如战场上的将军;和善,如主妇款待客人;简单,呆若木鸡;混沌,如深渊之水。

Who can tell the secrets of their hearts and minds?

谁能道尽他们的所有?
The answer exists only in the Tao.
答案仅存于道。

2.2

Grand Master Turing once dreamed that he was a machine. When he awoke heexclaimed:
超级大师图灵曾梦见自己是一台机器,醒后他这样回忆:
"I don't know whether I am Turing dreaming that I am a machine, or a machinedreaming that I am Turing!"

“我不知道是图灵梦见自己变成机器还是机器梦见自己变成图灵。”

2.3

A programmer from a very large computer company went to a softwareconference and then returned to report to his manager, saying: "What sortof programmers work for other companies? They behaved badly and wereunconcerned with appearances. Their hair was long and unkempt and theirclothes were wrinkled and old. They crashed out hospitality suites andthey made rude noises during my presentation." 

一个大公司的程序员参加一个软件会议后向他的主管汇报:“那些别的公司的程序员都是些什么样的人呀?他们举止不雅,不修边幅,头发蓬乱,衣服破旧,根本不热情好客,还在我说话的时候乱嚷嚷。”

The manager said: "I should have never sent you to the conference. Thoseprogrammers live beyond the physical world. They consider life absurd,an accidental coincidence. They come and go without knowing limitations.Without a care, they live only for their programs. Why should they botherwith social conventions?"

他的主管说:“我不应该让你参加这次会议,这些程序员生活在现实世界之外。他们认为生活是可笑的,一场意外的偶然而已。他们来去自由,无所牵挂,他们只为他们的程序生活。为什么要用世俗的烦扰去扰乱他们呢?”

"They are alive within the Tao."

“他们生活在道中”。

2.4

A novice asked the Master: "Here is a programmer that never designs,documents, or tests his programs. Yet all who know him consider him oneof the best programmers in the world. Why is this?"

一个初学者问主管经理:“有一个程序员,他从来不预先设计,也不写文档,甚至不测试他的程序,但是知道他的人都认为他是世界上最伟大的程序员,为什么呢?”

The Master replies: "That programmer has mastered the Tao. He has gonebeyond the need for design; he does not become angry when the systemcrashes, but accepts the universe without concern. He has gone beyond theneed for documentation; he no longer cares if anyone else sees his code.He has gone beyond the need for testing; each of his programs are perfectwithin themselves, serene and elegant, their purpose self-evident. Truly,he has entered the mystery of the Tao."

经理说:“那个程序员掌握了道。他不需要预先进行设计;系统崩溃时他也从不烦燥,只是接受发生的一切而不管发生的事是好是坏 。他不需要写文档,他从不顾及有没有人看他写的代码。他也不需要进行测试;他写的每个程序都有一个完美的自我,平静而优雅,它们的目的不言自明。他已经真正掌握了道的精髓。”