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pupsinpajamas t1_ixzsgrm wrote

Reply to comment by topcat5 in TIL The worlds first computer virus was developed by Jon Von Neumann in 1949. It served as proof that computer programs are capable of replicating themselves by s24569

Apparently not even OP can be bothered to read the article.

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BurrrritoBoy t1_ixzwqat wrote

I don’t blame them. I didn’t. I was waiting for decent commentary to distill the finer points of the article, meld those tidbits with both common and industry insider insights to produce a nugget of re-spewable intellect that could be foisted upon unwitting folks.

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drewcomputer t1_iy0d0na wrote

Did you guys read the article? It says

> Von Neumann's design for a self-reproducing computer program is considered the world's first computer virus, and he is considered to be the theoretical "father" of computer virology.

and it cites a CS textbook on viruses

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StarCyst t1_iy0f7q6 wrote

> theoretical

a blueprint is not a building.

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drewcomputer t1_iy0fw33 wrote

For a long time algorithms were developed and proven on paper before running on computers. That’s how Ada Lovelace made the first software, and how Alan Turing did most of his work. Von Neuman did that with viruses, and computer scientists say he made the first virus.

You can develop a sorting algorithm and mathematically prove that it works, and how fast entirely on pen and paper. That’s how a lot of computer science has always been done.

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StarCyst t1_iy0ho6j wrote

Yes, I've done it; I wrote a whole online messaging system while 15 miles from the nearest computer.

still only theoretical.

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drewcomputer t1_iy0iboq wrote

Theoretical CS isn’t like, speculating what’s possible in the sci fi future. It‘s making rigorous mathematical proofs about algorithms.

And this whole thread was about whether OP read the article lol. The article plainly says what OP said, and computer science textbooks agree. If you want to have a philosophical debate about if a program has to run on silicon in order to exist, go ahead, but know that the experts decided that one long ago and side with OP.

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Sigg3net t1_iy0o079 wrote

You're misidentifying theoretical and speculative. You can have theoretical proof of something. Cf. Einstein's vindication that light bends.

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StarCyst t1_iy0pmcc wrote

Irrelevant distinction, it wasn't 'developed' as in actually programmed into the computer by him.

the concept was developed, but not the actual virus.

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