What is the most sophisticated piece of software/code ever written?

[–] PhunkyPlatypus 4 points (+4|-0)

Regardless if I totally understand the technical parts of malicious worms and viruses. I've always been fascinated by them. And stuxnet is the reigning king of intrigue, as it has been for over 5 years now. So many questions and so few answers.

[–] PMYA [OP] 2 points (+2|-0)

Yeah stuxnet is very interesting. Not just because of what it is specifically, but I feel as if it has set a precedent for the kinds of things you can do to another nation's infrastructure and get away with it. I imagine there have been some significant developments in the amount of that kind of activity over the past few years.

[–] Chaoticneutral 1 points (+1|-0)

I’d say the first non-punch card code that ran. The knowledge and skill that it took made it a wonder at the time.

[–] sidewalker_Principle 1 points (+1|-0)

I'd imagine the software that goes into AI drones and Anti missle computers is pretty crazy.

Like others have said, stuxnet is incredibly complicated sounding. Also all the software in Vault 7 release.

[–] PhunkyPlatypus 1 points (+1|-0)

I really don't think that software is comparable. Drones and targeting is pretty up front and designed.

Stuxnet meanwhile is incredibly stealthy. It also utilizes zero day exploits and company keys that simply should not exist outside of their facility.

[–] jobes 0 points (+0|-0)

I hate to disappoint you, but I work with a guy who used to work on the US nuclear missile program. The guidance system was nothing special at all and a shocking number of nukes are not even functional anymore. Most of their computer systems were powered by normal batteries, many of which have not been changed since the 70s. Many nukes aren't even assembled because the radiation-detection-resistant silos were too expensive, the they keep the cores in protected rooms nearby to save on cost vs response time.

That deviated a bit, but the gist is missile guidance is simple. I'm assuming anti-missile is similar

[–] sidewalker_Principle 1 points (+1|-0)

I see, I had no idea it was such a duct-taped system. It makes a lot of sense though. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[–] GuyIDisagreeWith 0 points (+0|-0)

Steve Job's best marketing campaign ever.

What is the most sophisticated piece of software/code ever written?

8 comments

/s/Technology