Problem with software is bitrot. Web app lasts about a year, iOS app 2–4 years (opens in new tab)

(twitter.com)

18 pointsbestinterest2y ago13 comments

13 comments

I was thinking that this was not quite correct as I saw the problem. A vanilla html-css-js page from 10 or 15 years ago will probably run just fine in a modern browser (though it will look its age). The loads of external dependancies is what will doom web projects.

A tweet down-thread coined a word for this:

Ry @RyanMorey I think we need a different term for this than bitrot. It’s not data corruption breaking these, but like compatibility corruption? PlatformRot

paulryanrogers2y ago

Platform Drift?

daymanstep2y ago

C programs, on the other hand, last for decades. You can take a C program written 20 years ago (using POSIX API) and it will still run just fine today.

svaha17282y ago

As long as it’s on a VM; and not exposed to Bluetooth, the internet, or any external devices. This may be true.

I miss my VIC-20 too, but those days are over.

than32y ago

That's not necessarily true. Bitrot and bit flipping is pernicious and largely silent, while it affects source code less than object code, its still an issue regardless of the language medium.

zinekeller2y ago

I think you're using the strict technical definition of bitrot, but bitrot as used here is the more metaphorical "the OS/libraries/browser has removed some APIs and now the program won't work".

1 more reply

mathgladiator2y ago

I've been shocked to discover the number of MVP shops that exist and sell broken shit.

I can't stand the npm ecosystem because every project can't just sit there. When I return to it, something is broken and I can only find out by debugging it via runtime.

Thus is why I'm building my own shit from top to bottom as a vertical investment.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse