What Is the Oldest Code Written Still Running?

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.

Comments

Re:I'm not sure

[jonbryce]

I'd go for the Babbage Difference Engine in the London Science Museum.

Embedded microcode

[Kidbro]

Knowing full well that I haven't got a clue, my guess would still be microcode embedded in some special purpose device - i.e. not a general purpose computer.

I don't remember when digital watches started appearing, but I suppose there's a bit of code in there? Various industrial machines from waaay back that are still in use ought to be good candidates as well.

Kudos to Consul for a remarkably interesting Ask Slashdot. The best one I've seen in a long while :)

Re:A rare topic

[mbone]

The code in the Voyager spacecraft, at least, was extensively updated after launch and throughout the mission.

Re:A rare topic

[story645]

Somehow I doubt that many of the people that would be running such old computers such as ones from before 1970 would be reading Slashdot. Dunno about that. My mom's employer (UPS) still runs old mainframes (and employs COBOL coders) because switching would be too expensive/time prohibitive/etc.
Sometimes companies just have ancient systems somewhere in their infrastructure cause they can't gut them.

Re:The oldest code in existence:

[popmaker]

Still.. we have hundred year old humans right? And some thousand year old trees. Trees are run by a somewhat simple generative algorithm, but still... as far as age goes, they still take the cake.

Re:A rare topic

[WGR]

Somehow I doubt that many of the people that would be running such old computers such as ones from before 1970 would be reading Slashdot. And if you think about it, people conceptualized computers differently back then. I think you'd be hard pressed to find mention of a specific program but more of mention of a computer itself. Its too bad there is such a big disconnect between the generations of computer programmers and administrators. As someone who has been programming computers since 1966, I beg to differ with you. Code is more persistent than computers, since one can still run code written for an Intel 8080 on a modern dual core Pentium. The one main difference between programming them and programming now is that the cost of computers then meant that machine efficiency then was more important than human efficiency. Unfortunately too many programmers still think that way and are not willing to put in the code for security checks, clean user interfaces, etc. that are required. In many ways, computer science had a huge regression after the development of microcomputers. Instead of extending the lessons of mainframe computers like the Multics project about security, we returned to the "efficiency" goal because of the lack of power of early micros and still use that mindset when we have IPods that are more powerful than the largest mainframe of 1970.

logarithms

[petes_PoV]

> What is the oldest piece of code that is still in use today

Not quite a cheat, but I'd say that the original instructions used to calculate log tables might be close.

It's code (well, instructions - same thing?)

While it has been retyped many time, I'm sure the original paper-based instructions are still in a library somwwhere, and would work on a suitably old calcuator (hand-cranked, of course)

It's definitely a complete algorithm

Re:Pioneer and Voyager Comps Receive Uplink Update

[nuzak]

True, but what's really the definition of "still running" for purposes of it being the same code? If you patch one byte, is it the same code? Sort of a Ship of Theseus problem, no?

Re:A rare topic

[osu-neko]

And why should they? It works. It does precisely the job it was designed to do, and continues to do it at at least the level of ability it originally had, often better if the hardware underneath has been upgraded. Something only truly becomes obsolete when it no longer satisfies today's needs. A well designed, task-specific system could theoretically never become obsolete.

Re:A rare topic

[ffejie]

If there was a power outage, they might not be able to find the guy to turn on the machine? Then it's time to upgrade.

I agree with you that if it works, why fix it? But when a product has reached end of support because 1) the manufacturer has stopped supporting it or 2) there is no one in the working population that knows what to do with it, then you have to get it out of your infrastructure. You cannot continue to rely on products that you have no way of fixing if they break. Just because it hasn't broken in the past 30 years is no indicator that you won't hit something in the next 30 that won't break it.

Re:A rare topic

[Glonoinha]

Ouch. Holy crap.
I don't know which is worse - that you were able to recite that from memory, or that I recognized it.

I was going to come in here and give the obvious answer to the question (that answer being 'bubblesort') but I think you may have me beat.

Re:Pioneer and Voyager Comps Receive Uplink Update

[khallow]

We probably wouldn't be as far along. Military technology, especially in times of conflict, has resulted in a great deal of progress. Among other things, there's clearly defined failures (eg, someone defeats your army in battle or you have to abandon some location or policy). In comparison, what's failure in space development? It's obvious when things blow up. But what happens when things just aren't done? Is that a failure or just something that can't yet be accomplished? As I see it, it's far easier for a space program to plug along without any real measure of success and failure. That has complicated our efforts to do things in space.

Re:Pioneer and Voyager Comps Receive Uplink Update

[Haeleth]

one wonders where our technology would be today if we invested more in the space program and less in killing one another

Sadly, we would probably never have developed any sort of rocket (beyond the toy phase) if they weren't such a darned convenient way of delivering explosives...

if anyone is offended by that remark I apologize

Please don't. I for one am fed up of our modern PC climate where everyone is afraid to exercise their right of free speech in case someone isn't mature enough to deal with different views. Save the self-censorship for when you're tempted to shout "Fire" in a crowded theatre, or "Jesus loves gays" in a crowded fundamentalist church, or some other speech act that's actually likely to endanger people's lives.

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:A rare topic

[tsm_sf]

There are two kinds of fool.
One says, "This is old, and therefore good."
And one says "This is new, and therefore better."

John Brunner - The Shockwave Rider

and we've all read that book at least once, right? RIGHT?

Re:Pioneer and Voyager Comps Receive Uplink Update

[rhakka]

yeah, communicating effectively with people instead of flaming them is certainly cause to get "fed up".

When you try to express a concept that might piss people off, and you aren't trying to piss people off, saying so and expressing sensitivity to their beliefs isn't "PC", it's basic technique of a civilized person in conversation.

note the word "civilized" typically connotes that you are attempting to be a civil person. While being an opinionated asshole is easy and fun (believe me, I know!) it is not effective communication unless your goal is to intimidate your listeners.

I share your impatience with people with thin skins; I also share on a personal level your disdain for those people's "maturity". but the fact is, people are different, and some people have thin skins for legitimate reasons you have no knowledge of. recognizing that is simply showing your listener that you have a basic respect for them as a human being, and it typically goes a lot further to achieve final understanding that just beating them about the head with their own "hot buttons".

in short, showing a little respect, deserved or not, is what it means to be civilized, IMHO. I don't always follow this. But whining about PC stuff is old and tired. Yeah, some people suck and are stupid and wussy; and it's still cool to be cool to people, by and large.