The Programmer and the Genie
A computer programmer was walking along the beach when he found a lamp. After rubbing the lamp, a genie appeared.
Genie: "I am the most powerful genie in the world. I can grant you any wish you want, but only one wish."
The programmer pulled out a map of the Mediterranean area and said, "I'd like there to be a just and lasting peace among the people in the Middle East."
The genie responded, "Gee, I don't know. Those people have been fighting since the beginning of time. I can do just about anything, but this is beyond my limits."
The programmer then said, "Alright. How about this: My programs have a lot of users. Please make all of my users satisfied with my programs, let them ask for sensible changes before I start writing the programs, and not ask for any changes after I start."
Genie: "Uh, let me see that map again."
Genie: "I am the most powerful genie in the world. I can grant you any wish you want, but only one wish."
The programmer pulled out a map of the Mediterranean area and said, "I'd like there to be a just and lasting peace among the people in the Middle East."
The genie responded, "Gee, I don't know. Those people have been fighting since the beginning of time. I can do just about anything, but this is beyond my limits."
The programmer then said, "Alright. How about this: My programs have a lot of users. Please make all of my users satisfied with my programs, let them ask for sensible changes before I start writing the programs, and not ask for any changes after I start."
Genie: "Uh, let me see that map again."