Real-life examples of computer evolution

This article presents an example of a harmful mutation in a program, followed by a beneficial mutation in a program.

Fatal mutation

The most popular program in the world is hello.c, which prints out the message "Hello World". Here is the source code for that program:

#include <stdio.h>
int main(int argc, char *argv[])
{
	printf("Hello world\n");
}

The theory of computer evolution predicts and requires that this code mutate into other code. A possible mutation could produce code like this:

#include <stdASODI
LOGIN:PASSWORD@USRQJOSr *argv[])
{
	printf("Hello world\n");
}

As you can see, only a few mutations actually occurred, and in this example, the content is quite interesting. Unfortunately, even though the mutation contained interesting information, it destroyed vital information, and added useless junk, so the program no longer runs.

Hello world becomes 1r9(*&?!-+-]

Below you can see a the most popular program in the world, namely hello.c

#include <stdio.h>
int main(int argc, char *argv[])
{
	printf("Hello world\n");
}

When this program is run, the following output is displayed:

Hello world

Now, if this program were copied multiple times using networks, floppy disks and serial connections, eventually a mutation may occur which is not detected by the copying mechanism. One could conceivably end up with this:

#include <stdio.h>
int main(int argc, char *argv[])
{
	printf("1r9(*&?!-+-]\n");
}

This program would still compile, but the output will have mutated into this:

1r9(*&?!-+-]

This demonstrates the point that mutations in a program can be beneficial. This particular mutation would be beneficial to anyone who needed "1r9(*&?!-+-]" displayed on their monitor.

We appreciate feedback of a pro-computer evolutionary nature from our readers. If you have any ideas, comments, or suggestions for articles please let us know.

Theory of Computer Evolution.

Note that these pages are in no way associated with Answers in Genesis.

My name:
My e-mail address:
My comment: