What is Bit Rot? Bit rot is a term used to refer the rotting (degradation) of any software over time. It means that any software (as the time passes), starts giving low performance, some problem arises in them & they start degrading. They degrade up to that level that they end up disintegrating leaving these software’s for no further use. In short, Bit rot is nothing but the self-erasing of the software. Bit rot is also called as Software Rot, Code rot, Software erosion & software decay or software entropy. Why is it in news? This term was recently used by Mr. Vint Cerf at one conference. Mr. Vint is a computer scientist & is the founder of internet. What Mr. Vint was referring to by Bit Rot? He was asked to comment on the future of the library in the digital age. He said it is good to turn our books into digital data i.e. Bit (Note: Bit is the smallest unit of measurement in Storage. Bit is followed by Byte, Kilobyte, Megabyte & so on) But what will happen to these ‘bits’ if our software (software is the one which helps us to understand & use the date in bits), gets Bit Rot i.e. what will happen if our software which are running these bits are no longer available. The point put by him is really serious considering the fact that if this software is not there, then those bits have no meaning for us. It can cause serious threat to our digital library & digital data. About this issue Bit rot is a digital issue. Many people protect their data from Bit rot by making several copies of them & storing them at different locations. Types of Rot Dormant Rot: Bit rot caused because of not using the software for a long period of time. Active Rot: Bit rot caused because of the constant changes in the software. Reasons for Bit Rot Sr. No. Topic Description 1 Change in Environment A particular software is made considering & assuming some environment i.e. standards like the operating system or Processor speed. So, a software may show bit rot if there happens to be a change in the environment of the software. 2 User related often termed as “Onceability” Often, users change the necessary data required of the software & hence the system do not work as it should work in normal conditions & starts malfunctioning & eventually exhibits bit rot. 3 Use of code If the code of software remains unused for a long period of time then also bit rot takes place. 4 Code updating If the software is not regularly updated then the bugs (problem) in the software tend to create conditions like Bit rot. - See more at: erewise/current-affairs/what-is-bit-rot_art532a92f660f46.html#.UywzidySw6k
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 12:47:27 +0000
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