optimizing compilers vs. optimizing programmers

[Laura Creighton]

In the end, VMS got written mostly in assembler anyway (unless they have
gone and re-coded later version, which I doubt, but stranger things
have happened). I have it from several sources that the reason this
happened was because a certain prominent DEC individual decided that
no compiler could write code as good as his assembler (ie it wouldn't
be fast enough). So much for consistency...

Laura Creighton
utzoo!laura