Rethinking the 'Go To Statement Considered Harmful' Letter

Goto Is Not A Horror 🔗

The text discusses the historical context and modern implications of the "Go To Statement Considered Harmful" letter by Edsger Dijkstra. It emphasizes that the criticism of "goto" in the 1960s does not directly apply to modern programming languages, as they have evolved to constrain its usage within structured programming paradigms. The author argues that the excessive fear and demonization of "goto" in modern code is unwarranted, and that its usage can actually be a sign of skilled programming. The text encourages readers to re-examine the letter to gain insights into the evolution of programming practices and the reasons behind certain industry standards.

Dijkstra's letter criticizes the use of "goto" as an organizational principle in programming.
Modern programming languages have constrained the usage of "goto" within structured programming paradigms.
The text challenges the prevailing negative perception of "goto" in modern code and encourages a re-examination of Dijkstra's letter for insights into programming practices and industry standards.