Book 2 - The Ancient Masters
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Thus spake the master programmer:

``After three days without programming, life becomes
meaningless.''



2.1

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

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.

Who can tell the secrets of their hearts and minds?

The answer exists only in Tao.



2.2

Grand Master Turing once dreamed that he was a machine. When
he awoke he exclaimed:

``I don't know whether I am Turing dreaming that I am a
machine, or a machine dreaming that I am Turing!''



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 our hospitality
suite and they made rude noises during my presentation.''

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?

``They are alive within the Tao.''



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?''

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 Tao.''