> Anyone could have said similar things about computers in 1953, and been just as correct.
Many people could say similar things about software in 2020 and be just as correct. :) The good Admiral may be describing some timeless aspects of engineering, possibly related to the recently discussed observation that reality has a surprising amount of detail: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16184255 .
Though, as you say, over time engineering can grind out some of the practical into practice.
You jest, but... compatibility is the corrosion of software. The environment and dependencies underlying your software are slowly oxidizing/transforming all the time and unless you pick only the stainless steel of interfaces/system calls, your software will cease to function more quickly than lots of iron objects rust through.
Many people could say similar things about software in 2020 and be just as correct. :) The good Admiral may be describing some timeless aspects of engineering, possibly related to the recently discussed observation that reality has a surprising amount of detail: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16184255 .
Though, as you say, over time engineering can grind out some of the practical into practice.