Edsger Dijkstra
Dijkstra started as a first ever programmer of a computer from 1952-1962.
This kindled his interest in computer science and one of the most important and still a very open problem that he tackled is — will this computer program do exactly what I intend it to do.
He was the inventor of shortest path algorithm carrying his name, semaphores and many other core computer science ideas that we take for granted.
He advocated structured programming and promulgated the need for 'Discipline of prgramming'. This changed the move from 'ad-hoc' programming languages such as Fortran to very structured languages such as, Algol, C, C++ and Java.
One of my favorite Dijkstra's quotes is one to a promising researcher, who asked how to select topic for research:
Do only what only you can do!!!!
The more I think about this quote the more pertinent it is, and in a way defines what 'doing research' is all about, and what makes you a researcher.
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A comment from one of the readers -
If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it? – Albert Einstein
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This where the 'profound' nature of Dijkstra's quote becomes apparant — knowing – 'what only you can do is the key' – what are your strengths – weaknesses, what kind of problems do you like to solve, etc.
Like Google advertises — 'we have a problem with your name on it". It is like stating these are the problems you are most comfortable, happy, and interested in addressing.
