21 Oct
1998
21 Oct
'98
9:43 a.m.
Another important factor is newer software that uses code from ancient
programs. Examples of this are various algorithms (that could be
y2K sensitive). Also, I'm pretty sure that there are at least a
couple of dozen lines that are exactly the same in MS-DOS 7 and in
Q-DOS. Same goes for other operating systems and software.
in
that
haven't had to change, or that can't be changed. How many
serious businesses are still running the same unchanged sourceless
app since 1978, much less 1968 or 1958?
Amazing, isn't it? I'm sure those same sentiments were expressed back 1978, 1968 and 1958 by the same incredulous programmers
who supposed
that
perhaps their programs would still be crunching away in
1998.
I don't think the software I've written thats been in the field since
1993
will still be there in 2003, but there's no reason
it can't be, and I
would be thrilled (and amazed) to find out that it was.
I'm sure the guys who wrote Sage Professional Editor back in the late
80s
would be amazed that I still use it for all my code
writing (in DOS
windows under Win95) and swear by it (best damn text editor ever
developed...yeah, you heard me!)
SO anyway, believe it. Code from the 50s and 60s still churns away,
calculating the taxes you owe, the fines you are assessed and the bank
statements you received.
Sellam Alternate e-mail:
dastar(a)siconic.com
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