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in reply to Re^2: (OT): 200-year software
in thread (OT): 200-year software

We need to get over the hump to the point where we can use tools to build our tools.

One of the main problems here is that software evolves so fast, that tools based on languages in use today, are nearly worthless very quickly. If there were a very good tool for creating complex software, but it was based on Cobol, very few programmers would use it.
Even so, if someone could create such a software "brick maker" it might extend the life of the language used to build it.

-Theo-
(so many nodes and so little time ... )

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Re^4: (OT): 200-year software
by Solo (Deacon) on Jul 16, 2004 at 03:19 UTC
    I know many a paralegal who is absolutely satisfied with WordPerfect 5 on an i386 (repaired several times over in most cases). I'm not convinced that it's the evolution of software or hardware that prevents stabilization or longevity of applications. Rather, it's end-user/consumer's evolving expectations that are driving the phenomena.

    How has the end-user's expectation of a brick changed in the last 2500 years?

    --Solo
    --
    You said you wanted to be around when I made a mistake; well, this could be it, sweetheart.
[reply]
      There's no doubbt that you are right: user expectation (and willingness to pay) drives the evolution of computer products as well as most of the economy. Your's is the explanation for Theo's observation.
      ggg
[reply]

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