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What Is the Oldest Code Written Still Running?

Posted by kdawson on from the when-dinosaurs-ruled-the-datacenter dept.

Consul writes "What is the oldest piece of code that is still in use today, that has not actually been retyped or reimplemented in some way? By 'piece of code,' I'm of course referring to a complete algorithm, and not just a single line." The question would have a different answer if emulation, in multiple layers, is allowed.

19 of 903 comments (clear)

  1. The OS powering John McCain's artificial heart... by Tumbleweed · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...which was implanted in his chest shortly before his escape from the Viet Cong. 1,700 lines of COBOL, and still going strong!

    Sadly, it has a Y2K bug. This explains why the John McCain of 2008 is not the same as the one from eight years ago.

  2. The oldest code in existence: by LGagnon · · Score: 5, Funny

    Genetic code.

    1. Re:The oldest code in existence: by Keeper+Of+Keys · · Score: 5, Funny

      How about a 40 thousand year old year old shrubbery... Ni!
    2. Re:The oldest code in existence: by martin-boundary · · Score: 5, Funny

      Also, the oldest profession is to maintain that code...

  3. Re:oldest code in existence by kclittle · · Score: 4, Funny

    And, not only is it still in existence, it is still running!
    -k

    --
    Generally, bash is superior to python in those environments where python is not installed.
  4. 10 Dixitque Deus "Fiat lux" by LetsGoVandy · · Score: 4, Funny

    20 Dixit quoque Deus "Fiat firmamentum in medio aquarum"

  5. Oblig xkcd. by popmaker · · Score: 5, Funny

    http://xkcd.com/224/

  6. BSD had a 25-year code still running... by Keyper7 · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...but some insensitive clod recently deleted it.

  7. Oldest possible... by the_duke_of_hazzard · · Score: 5, Funny

    1 "Let there be light"
    2 create universe()
    3 while (1)
    4 # I'll finish this up later

  8. Re:Really? by Thiez · · Score: 3, Funny

    I guess they could be, depending on how far you're willing to stretch the definition of computer. It seems quite obvious this the definition used in the question, though. But assuming we somehow agree that DNA is code, you'd still need a religion to refer to it as 'written' instead of 'generated'.

  9. Re:oldest code in existence by spike1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Syntax error in line 10

  10. Re:Easy by metalcoat · · Score: 5, Funny

    Internet Explorer?

  11. Re:The OS powering John McCain's artificial heart. by osu-neko · · Score: 3, Funny

    I thought he got the artificial heart after he was shot through the heart by Aaron Burr (who was, as Vice Presidents go, a much better marksman than Dick Cheney).

    --
    "Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies."
  12. Re:Pioneer and Voyager Comps Receive Uplink Update by Tablizer · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Firmware" updates have been occasionally uploaded to the Pioneer and Voyager

    They had to, because Voyager kept calling itself "Vger".

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  13. Re:Pioneer and Voyager Comps Receive Uplink Update by hobbit · · Score: 3, Funny

    As I see it, it's far easier for a space program to plug along without any real measure of success and failure. If you've discovered a way of getting billions of dollars of funding without having any clear objectives, please contact me privately at yeahrightwhatever@gmail.com.
    --
    "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something" - Plato
  14. Re:Easy by palegray.net · · Score: 4, Funny

    If we're counting earth-bound code, I was going to vote for "DNA."

    --
    512 MB RAM, 20 GB disk, 200 GB transfer, five datacenters. $19.95/month.
  15. Re:Pioneer and Voyager Comps Receive Uplink Update by im_thatoneguy · · Score: 5, Funny

    If you've discovered a way of getting billions of dollars of funding without having any clear objectives, please contact me privately at yeahrightwhatever@gmail.com.
    *cough* missile defense *cough*
  16. Re:A rare topic by somersault · · Score: 3, Funny

    Only on /. could a piece of code to delete a file be modded 'funny' o_0 is there actually a joke in there?

    --
    which is totally what she said
  17. Re:Easy by SnowZero · · Score: 5, Funny

    DNA is in a more or less constant state of "editing". But yeah, there are trees that are almost 5000 years old which presumably haven't evolved in that time.

    Ah, so it's like Emacs?