EWD

EWD refers to the collection of memoranda and notes by Dutch computer scientist Edsger W. Dijkstra. Each item is cited with the prefix EWD followed by a number (for example, EWD 123). The notes were produced over several decades and cover a wide range of topics in computing, including algorithms, programming languages, formal methods, concurrency, operating systems, and the philosophy of computing.

The EWD writings are known for precise reasoning, rigorous argumentation, and a willingness to challenge established ideas. Dijkstra’s advocacy for structured programming, his critique of unstructured control flow, and his emphasis on mathematical thinking in software design have influenced both theoretical and practical approaches to programming and software engineering.

Access to the EWD archive is provided through online repositories, with a prominent collection hosted by publicly accessible archives associated with universities, including a major repository maintained by the University of Texas at Austin. The series has become a standard reference in computer science history and is frequently cited in scholarly works and educational materials. It remains a resource for students and researchers seeking insight into foundational ideas about algorithms, language design, and the epistemology of computing.