Niklaus Wirth has died (twitter.com)

Article summary

Niklaus Wirth, a pioneer in programming languages, software engineering, and hardware design, has passed away. He is known for his work on languages such as Pascal and Oberon. Wirth's emphasis on simplicity and correctness has been an inspiration to many. His death was announced by Bertrand Meyer, the creator of the Eiffel language.

Main themes

• Niklaus Wirth's legacy
• simplicity and correctness in software design
• preserving access to historical research
• modern-day equivalents to Wirth
• software engineering and programming languages
• open access and knowledge sharing

What commenters say

• Niklaus Wirth's death is a significant loss for the programming community, and his contributions to the field will be deeply missed.
• Wirth's emphasis on simplicity and correctness is still relevant today, and his work continues to inspire new generations of programmers.
• Some commentators believe that Wirth's legacy extends beyond his technical contributions, and that his approach to software design and engineering has had a profound impact on the industry.
• Others argue that while Wirth's achievements are notable, there are still many people working today who share his commitment to simplicity and correctness, and that his legacy will continue through their work.
• The discussion around Wirth's death has also touched on the importance of preserving access to historical papers and research, and the need for more open and accessible platforms for sharing knowledge.
• There is disagreement about who can be considered a modern-day equivalent to Wirth, with some commentators suggesting that certain individuals, such as Fabrice Bellard, may be working at a similar level of achievement.
• Some commentators have expressed skepticism about the idea that there are modern-day 'apostles' of simplicity and correctness, and argue that such comparisons are unfair and unhelpful.
• The conversation has also highlighted the ongoing relevance of Wirth's ideas about software design and engineering, and the need for continued innovation and improvement in these areas.