By understanding a machine-oriented language, the programmer will tend to use a much more efficient method; it is much closer to reality. - Donald Knuth

To summarize: We have seen that computer programming is an art, because it applies accumulated knowledge to the world, because it requires skill and ingenuity, and especially because it produces objects of beauty. A programmer who subconsciously views himself as an artist will enjoy what he does and will do it better. Therefore we can be glad that people who lecture at computer conferences speak of the state of the Art.

A good technical writer, trying not to be obvious about it, but says everything twice: formally and informally. Or maybe three times.

The real problem is that programmers have spent far too much time worrying about efficiency in the wrong places and at the wrong times; premature optimization is the root of all evil (or at least most of it) in programming.