[Info-vax] VMS Software Inc. OpenVMS 8.4-1H1 Boots on i4 System

[JF Mezei]

On 15-03-23 09:16, Bill Gunshannon wrote:

> I think the real problem here is with the definition of "bit rot".

Another way to look at software that stops working:

An example is SWIFT. SWIFT has constantly evolving portocol and message
types. Banks have to update their SWIFT software on specific dates when
new protocols take effect. Your old software no longer works after that
date.

Or software that sent out Telexes or Faxes. When people stop having
telex machines or 1980s faxes, your software stops being of use.

Same for a lot of internet stuff, especially when you deal with
encryption. Those protocols evolve and while there is generally a lot of
upward compatibility, a newer generation software tryong to contact you
with your pre-hostoric software will have problems.

Consider SMTP on TCPIP Services. It is unable to perform or support many
basic functions in use today. And it still *generally* works, there are
more and more cases where it doesn't (for instance, going thorugh a
gateway that requires authentication, supporting port 587 etc.

In terms of business applications, you need to consider tax and legal
changes over the years that would require update to the applications.

For instance, the introduction of GST tax in Canada in late 1980s or
early 1990s meant that a lot of software had to be updated to now charge
for tax (since before, only goods had tax, now goods and services have tax).