Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: Da Coyote

Probably was a math major instead of a computer engineer who actually understands how registers work and how integer arithmetic works in a computer.


5 posted on 05/25/2008 3:24:20 PM PDT by krb (If you're not outraged, people probably like having you around.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies ]


To: krb; Da Coyote
> Probably was a math major instead of a computer engineer who actually understands how registers work and how integer arithmetic works in a computer.

Nope, it was dumber than that:

A programmer, who didn't understand the function of the randomizing variables in the key generator, removed all but one (the process ID, 0-32767). He eliminated random memory contents, mouse movements, keyboard input, everything but process ID.

Why? Because a "bug-catching" program told him that memory whould be initialized, not left "random", etc. Rather than strive to figure out why the code would have contained such things, he merely commented them out to quiet the bug-catcher software.

This was unintentional, but the fallout is horrific.
12 posted on 05/25/2008 3:36:47 PM PDT by dayglored (Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson