> This is sort of like saying a c compiler is there to stop you from dereferencing null pointers

I like it! How else could we describe it?

C compilers exist to prevent developers from writing reliable code.

C compilers caught on because they allow geeks to act macho to other geeks.

C compilers exist because programmers on 32-bit systems were nostalgic for the DEC PDP-11.

C compilers exist because the industry worked out that fast code was way more lucrative than reliable code.

Anyone got more?