编程之道
《编程之道》
蓝森林 http://www.lslnet.com 2001 年 1 月 1 日 21:52
作 者: Geoffrey James
[美]Geoffrey James
小赵 录入整理
编程之道
声明:
本文内容来自《编程之道》一书, 小赵只负责录入. 所有版权归该书的出版社。
本文由原来的三册书组成:《编程之道》 《编程之禅》《计算机时代的寓言》
译者序
如今程序设计类的图书可谓是层出不穷,其中绝大部分是以教程、使用手册和编
程技巧为主,它们都是用来处理一些技术性的问题的。
然而,怎样领悟程序设计的内涵和精髓呢?程序员编程时是一种怎样的思维方
式?他们的工作、生活是个什么样子?他们在想些什么?作为一名经理如何同他
们相处并处分发挥他们的积极性?涉及这些方面的书却寥寥无几。但没有并不代
表不重要--随着我国程序设计事业从起步到发展,这些方面的内容显得越来越
重要,我们越来越希望了解它们。
美国是个软件工业和程序设计水平处于世界依靠地位的国家,我们是不是可以从
那里借鉴点什么呢?您将要读到的《编程之道》一书便是出息美国的一位善于进
行哲学性思考、有十多年工作经验的程序设计师--Geoffrey James 之手。
在本书中,作者以一种幽默、辛辣的眼光审视着发生在程序设计室里的各种各样
的小故事,并运用东方的哲学体系进行深层次的思考和理解,即进行“道”式的
思考和理解。简单的故事蕴含深奥的道理,是本书的极大特色。
本书不仅语言优美、比喻生动,而且在结构上颇具匠心。
本书在美国出息时分为三册--《编程之道》《编程之禅》和《计算机寓言--
信息时代的启示》,经与作者协商,决定将中译本汇总为一本以《编程之道的》
的书名出版。
1、《编程之道》
本书的构思新颖而奇特。作者作为一名计算机考古的业余爱好者,偶然发现了在
程序设计业内传说的《编程之道》。这其中的内容,每个程序员都想知道,但谁
也没有见到过,就有点像金庸的小说《射雕英雄传》中的《九阴真经》。于是作
者便将它“翻译”成此书,公之于众。全书共分为九篇:
第一篇 静寂的空宇
第二篇 古代的大师
第三篇 设计
第四篇 编码
- 1 -
编程之道
第五篇 维护
第六篇 管理
第七篇 公司里的学问
第八篇 硬件和软件
第九篇 尾声
2、《编程之禅》
在本书中,作者借用中国传统文化中的五行--”金、木、水、火、土“来代表
与计算机相关的概念,并以此将多个富有祖宗色彩的故事有机地组织起来。全书
分为五篇
第一篇 木
第二篇 火
第三篇 土
第四篇 金
第五篇 水
3、《计算机寓言--信息时代的启示》
作者以四季--”春、夏、秋、冬“来组织本书的结构。全书共分为四篇:
第一篇 秋--虚幻与真实
第二篇 冬--战争与死亡
第三篇 春--真爱与新生
第四篇 夏--启示
我们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。
- 2 -
编程之道
《编程之道》
The Tao Of Programming —— 编程之道
Translated By Geoffrey James
[小赵]翻译整理
- 3 -
编程之道
Book One - The Silent Void
Thus spake the master programmer:
编程大师如是说:
"When you have learned to snatch the error code from the trap frame, it
will be time for you to leave."
“当你从我手中夺走水晶球时,就是你离开的时候了。”
1.1
Something mysterious is formed, born in the silent void. Waiting alone
and unmoving, it is at once still and yet in constant motion. It is the
source of all programs. I do not know its name, so I will call it the Tao
of Programming.
寂静的虚空里诞生了神秘的东西,这种东西恒久存在永不消失,它是所有程序的
根源所在,我不知道怎么形容它,姑且称它为编程之道。
If the Tao is great, then the operating system is great. If the operating
system is great, then the compiler is great. If the compiler is greater,
then the applications is great. The user is pleased and there is harmony
in the world.
如果道是完美的,那么操作系统就是完美的,如果操作系统是完美的,那么编译
嚣就是完美的,如果编译嚣是完美的,那么应用程序就是完美的,所以用户心满
意足,整个世界因此和谐。
The Tao of Programming flows far away and returns on the wind of morning.
编程之道去如黄鹤来如晨风。
1.2
The Tao gave birth to machine language. Machine language gave birth to
the assembler.
道生机器语言,机器语言生汇编嚣。
The assembler gave birth to the compiler. Now there are ten thousand
languages.
汇编器生编译器,最后产生上万种高级语言。
Each language has its purpose, however humble. Each language expresses
the Yin and Yang of software. Each language has its place within the Tao.
- 4 -
编程之道
不论多么的微不足道,每种语言都有它自己的目的,每种语言都表达了软件的阴
阳两极。每种语言都各得其道。
But do not program in COBOL if you can avoid it.
但是尽量不要用 COBOL 语言。
1.3
In the beginning was the Tao. The Tao gave birth to Space and Time.
Therefore, Space and Time are the Yin and Yang of programming.
道之初,带来了空间和时间,所以,空间和时间是编程的阴阳两极。
Programmers that do not comprehend the Tao are always running out of time
and space for their programs. Programmers that comprehend the Tao always
have enough time and space to accomplish their goals.
不懂编程之道的程序员常常把空间和时间消耗殆尽,得道的程序员则总是有足够
的空间和时间去完成编程任务。
How could it be otherwise?
否则会是什么样呢?
1.4
The wise programmer is told about the Tao and follows it. The average
programmer is told about the Tao and searches for it. The foolish
programmer is told about the Tao and laughs at it.
上士闻道,从而行之。中士闻道,谨而寻之。下士闻道,大笑之。
If it were not for laughter, there would be no Tao.
大笑不足为道。
The highest sounds are the hardest to hear. Going forward is a way to
retreat. Greater talent shows itself late in life. Even a perfect program
still has bugs.
希音不闻,进即是退,大嚣晚成。任何程序都有漏洞。
Book Two - The Ancient Masters
Thus spake the master programmer:
- 5 -
编程之道
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 fathom
their 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 the
battlefield. Kind, like a hostess greeting her guests. Simple, like
uncarved 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 he
exclaimed:
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 machine
dreaming 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 software
conference and then returned to report to his manager, saying: "What sort
of programmers work for other companies? They behaved badly and were
unconcerned with appearances. Their hair was long and unkempt and their
clothes were wrinkled and old. They crashed out hospitality suites and
they made rude noises during my presentation."
- 6 -
编程之道
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. Those
programmers 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 bother
with 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 one
of 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 gone
beyond the need for design; he does not become angry when the system
crashes, but accepts the universe without concern. He has gone beyond the
need 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 perfect
within 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。”
Book Three - Design
Thus spake the master programmer:
- 7 -