"A programming language is low level when its programs require attention to the irrelevant"

This quote by Alan Perlis is describing the idea of low-level shows languages. Low-level programs languages are those that require the developer to take note of the details of the computer system's architecture, such as memory addresses and processor directions. These information are often considered unimportant to the developer, as they are not straight associated to the problem they are attempting to resolve. By contrast, high-level programs languages enable the developer to concentrate on the problem at hand, without having to worry about the underlying details of the computer system's architecture.

In this quote, Perlis is recommending that a shows language is low-level when its programs require the programmer to focus on details that are not straight related to the issue they are attempting to resolve. This is since the developer must take into consideration the details of the computer's architecture, which can be lengthy and tedious. By contrast, top-level programs languages enable the developer to concentrate on the issue at hand, without having to worry about the underlying details of the computer system's architecture.

In general, this quote by Alan Perlis is highlighting the importance of high-level shows languages, which allow the developer to focus on the problem at hand, rather than having to fret about the details of the computer's architecture. By utilizing top-level programming languages, the programmer can conserve time and energy, and concentrate on the task at hand.