The biggest difference between hardware and software is that the former operates in a parallel, signal-based environment, whereas the latter uses sequential algorithmic code. I believe that this is the main reason that hardware is orders of magnitude more reliable than software.
The biggest difference between hardware and software is the complexity. In a previous life, before software, I did hardware. First, I can't totally agree with the parallel/sequential difference. Many hardware designs depend on the inherent propagation delay involved, becoming in effect, sequential.
Second, do you have any idea how many transistors it takes to mimic a single line of C code? Even using ICs, it's at least two gates (not Bill) for every AND, OR, XOR, etc., plus latches, buffers, comparators and the rest for the simplest program statement (and no subroutines or other reuse allowed).
To replicate any non-trivial program in hardware would be incredibly complex -- on the order of producing an Intel or AMD CPU. Given the kind of budget used for a CPU, any single program could be made extremely reliable -- until the compiler or the CPU changed, of course. I'll believe in siver bullets when the Lone Ranger rides in.
Complete agreement. When I read the headline, there was a sudden pang of fear. If we had to close down SSH, there wouldn't be any more working-from-home Fridays.:)
Re:July 14th: The stoning of Redmond
on
Windependence Day
·
· Score: 1
You misspelled "mispelled," although I agree with the sentiment completely. Damn, I sure I hope I spelled everything correctly.:)
Yes, I remember Falcon. The disks didn't just get corrupted by themselves. The instructions told you to make a copy of the diskette and only run from the copy because the program had to write game data to the diskette--and just in case it became corrupted, which it did with regularity.
After dealing with many corrupted disks, I spent weeks disassembling likely sections of code. (I was pissed and had plenty of free time:) )
Eventually I found a section of code that wrote three bytes into a block of data, modified a couple of bytes of code that had just executed and branched back on itself.
The self-modified code now jumped into the data, which, with the changes, was now valid code, and there it was, the code that hosed the floppy.
I never played the game after that. Knowing that they were deliberately destroying my data made it impossible to get into the game again.
All devices that perform analog to digital conversions? I once built a bond-pull tester (Mil-spec, destructive test for microchips) that did A/D conversion for displaying and recording results. You're supposed to monitor the signal coming from a load cell for watermarks?!
If you don't vote, you abdicate your right to rail against the incumbents (or non-incumbents) with any authority -- Duh, you didn't vote, you didn't care enough to particpate in the process.
Higher-than-normal voting percentages for third-party candidates have given credence to issues in third-party platforms, and the two major parties have adjusted their positions in response.
History only repeats itself if people don't learn from past mistakes. Vote for the lesser of two evils, if that's the only choice, but VOTE! Then bitch about it.
great, I wasted my fucking time on a CS degree. What a fucking load of crap. Am I an sucker or what?
Well, unfortunately, thanks to our government, that could be true. Do a google search on Matloff, follow the links, read and weep.
I hope you are young enough and persistent enough to follow it through. Older CS people don't stand much of a chance at all. Check out the Programmers Guild (again, a google search is easy)if you want to have any political voice at all.
Slashdot Mirror
are we a community of well educated tech people or are we a community of ignorant bafoons that have nothing better to do at work then spread FUD
They call me Mister Ignorant Buffoon. And I do this after work. :)
Um, yeah, maybe, but I usually hope the headline is somewhat factual rather than just provocative. :)
Well, no, it's policy, telnet isn't an option. It would be dress-up Fridays. :)
From now on I hope I can I hit the preview button instead of the submit button. :)
The biggest difference between hardware and software is that the former operates in a parallel, signal-based environment, whereas the latter uses sequential algorithmic code. I believe that this is the main reason that hardware is orders of magnitude more reliable than software.
The biggest difference between hardware and software is the complexity. In a previous life, before software, I did hardware. First, I can't totally agree with the parallel/sequential difference. Many hardware designs depend on the inherent propagation delay involved, becoming in effect, sequential.
Second, do you have any idea how many transistors it takes to mimic a single line of C code? Even using ICs, it's at least two gates (not Bill) for every AND, OR, XOR, etc., plus latches, buffers, comparators and the rest for the simplest program statement (and no subroutines or other reuse allowed).
To replicate any non-trivial program in hardware would be incredibly complex -- on the order of producing an Intel or AMD CPU. Given the kind of budget used for a CPU, any single program could be made extremely reliable -- until the compiler or the CPU changed, of course. I'll believe in siver bullets when the Lone Ranger rides in.
Even if true, the amount is a pittance compared to the costs of bad management. Dotcoms and Enron anyone?
The public is, from what I've seen, more like the surf class of olden times
Hey, don't be knocking the Beach Boys, dude.
Good, good, good, good vibrations /Oom bop bop
Complete agreement. When I read the headline, there was a sudden pang of fear. If we had to close down SSH, there wouldn't be any more working-from-home Fridays. :)
You misspelled "mispelled," although I agree with the sentiment completely. Damn, I sure I hope I spelled everything correctly. :)
Small distance: human hair
Actually, measurements based on the diameter of the human hair (the CH and RCH) have been used in industry for decades...
"Um, move that just a c**t hair to the left."
(or, if a larger adjustment is required)
"Um, move that a red c**t hair to the left."
Yes, I remember Falcon. The disks didn't just get corrupted by themselves. The instructions told you to make a copy of the diskette and only run from the copy because the program had to write game data to the diskette--and just in case it became corrupted, which it did with regularity.
After dealing with many corrupted disks, I spent weeks disassembling likely sections of code. (I was pissed and had plenty of free time :) )
Eventually I found a section of code that wrote three bytes into a block of data, modified a couple of bytes of code that had just executed and branched back on itself.
The self-modified code now jumped into the data, which, with the changes, was now valid code, and there it was, the code that hosed the floppy.
I never played the game after that. Knowing that they were deliberately destroying my data made it impossible to get into the game again.
You really ruined my day, man. After reading the parent post and having just received an AOL 7.0 CD in the mail, I was going to claim first postal.
So how do you install this thing anyway? I can't seem to find any rpms or source files...
All devices that perform analog to digital conversions? I once built a bond-pull tester (Mil-spec, destructive test for microchips) that did A/D conversion for displaying and recording results. You're supposed to monitor the signal coming from a load cell for watermarks?!
Been to your home page, I have
Phear not to abandon your relationship with VB
Rewrite everything in Tcl/Tk
Enjoy the pain, and know that you are cleansed :-)
Horse puckey. Typical GenX crap.
If you don't vote, you abdicate your right to rail against the incumbents (or non-incumbents) with any authority -- Duh, you didn't vote, you didn't care enough to particpate in the process.
Higher-than-normal voting percentages for third-party candidates have given credence to issues in third-party platforms, and the two major parties have adjusted their positions in response.
History only repeats itself if people don't learn from past mistakes. Vote for the lesser of two evils, if that's the only choice, but VOTE! Then bitch about it.
Hey. Got your Green Card, did you? Way to go!
Oops, sorry about that. Didn't get it, huh? Trying to siphon off some business then?
great, I wasted my fucking time on a CS degree. What a fucking load of crap. Am I an sucker or what?
Well, unfortunately, thanks to our government, that could be true. Do a google search on Matloff, follow the links, read and weep.
I hope you are young enough and persistent enough to follow it through. Older CS people don't stand much of a chance at all. Check out the Programmers Guild (again, a google search is easy)if you want to have any political voice at all.
Hold pointed end of knife to left abdomen
Pull inward forcefully
Move blade quickly from left to right
At least you'll still have your honor