Yep, Douglas Adams.

The robot was Marvin the paranoid android but I'm thinking of a character in a later book in the series but can't think of his name.

There is a message for all computer programmers in this book when the computer, "Deep Thought" finally gives his answer to life the universe and everything but says that the programmers should have specified the ultimate question first! If that doesn't sum up user requirements then I don't know what does.

I particularly liked God's last message to his creation "We apologise for the inconvenience".

In addition to your warm beer and black-pudding I think you should add haggis and bagpipes (I know we didn't invent bagpipes but we do persist in playing them).

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He was not wholly unware of the potential lack of insignificance.