You can measure a programmer's perspective by noting his attitude on the continuing vitality of FORTRAN.

The quote by Alan Perlis, "You can measure a programmer's perspective by noting his attitude on the continuing vitality of FORTRAN," highlights how a programmer’s view on the legacy programming language FORTRAN reveals much about their broader perspective on technology and programming. Perlis suggests that opinions about FORTRAN—one of the oldest high-level programming languages—serve as a litmus test for how programmers approach change, tradition, and innovation in their field.

By focusing on the continuing vitality of FORTRAN, the quote points to the tension between respecting proven, long-standing tools and embracing newer technologies. A programmer’s attitude toward whether FORTRAN remains relevant or obsolete reflects their openness to legacy systems and their philosophy on balancing stability with advancement.

This quote also underscores the diversity of thought within the programming community. Some programmers admire FORTRAN for its robustness and historical importance, while others see it as outdated. Perlis uses this divide to illustrate how technical preferences often align with broader professional values and approaches to problem-solving.

This quote originates from Alan Perlis, a pioneering computer scientist known for his witty and insightful observations on programming. As the first recipient of the Turing Award, Perlis’s words carry weight in the computer science community, encouraging reflection on how attitudes toward foundational technologies reveal deeper professional mindsets.