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Category: Computers & Technology : y2k
Certainly, everyone's heard about the Year 2000 computer bug. Many people don't really understand what it is, however. As a result, there's a lot of fear and craziness around it.
Here's a simple explanation for non-computer people so you can have an intelligent conversation about it. ;)
First, here's an exercise:
1. Joe was born in 1960
2. How old was Joe in 1977 ?
Think of your answer and then read on...
There's nothing particularly magic about the year 2000 that makes it tough for computers to handle. Computers deal in data, and the year 2000 is just another number.
Computers also do exactly what people tell them to do, through the "programs" that people write for them. A computer program is simply a series of instructions that the computer looks at each one in order and does what it's told.
Let's think back to the 1970's when many of the programs were written by young programmers, hired by some company to write their programs on these relatively new expensive computers.
At the time, computer storage (RAM and disk) was very expensive. So, you'd probably cut corners where you could.
So, it's 1977, you're 22 years old. First off, are you even thinking of the year 2000? That's 23 years away! That's older than you - that's the time of flying cars, and stuff like that. No way are you thinking a program you are writing for some bank will still be in use so many years later!
So, you need the computer to figure out someone's age. How do you do it? Let's think back to our eariler exercise. I would bet most everyone took "77" and subtracted "60" to get Joe's Age of 17. The "19" in 1960 and 1977 just subtract out in the end anyway, and you know that, so you don't even think about it.
So, you tell the computer to do it like this too... And using the last two digits is great since if saves you from having to store it in the computer as well.
Current Year - Birthday Year = Person's Age
(77 - 60 = 17)
All is fine and dandy - right?
Well, what happens in the year 2000?
Current Year - Birthday Year = Person's Age
(00 - 60 = -60)
Joe's suddenly -60 years old! Uh oh! Of course, this isn't what you meant to happen, but computers do what they're told - not what you meant to do. What happens when "-60" gets used later in the program to figure out Joe's benefits, retirement or whatever else??? Unpredictable results.
Anyhow - for one reason or another (mostly $$$), these old programs are still in use in many places. These are massive programs - millions of lines long. So, it takes a lot of time and money for people to look through these programs and fix the problem. And the scope of the problem isn't known exactly as well... what about the computer chip in your Mr. Coffee? Does it figure out when to make your coffee with the last 2 digits of the year?
Anyway, this is a very simple explanation of the problem. And, part of the fear factor is that it is hard to know all the things that may be involved. There are a few fanaticals out there who are boxing up food and heading to the hills. I think they're over reacting... and strongly discourage "end-of-the-world" sort of preparations for anyone.
Other Articles in this Category
Preparing Yourself and Your Family for Y2K
by Leslie Wood
How to Survive y2k
by Steve Kingsmore
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