Hover Text:

The universe started in 1970. Anyone claiming to be over 38 is lying about their age.

Transcript

[Cueball sits at a computer, staring at the screen and rubbing his chin in thought. A friend stands behind him.]
Cueball: Weird — My code’s crashing when given pre-1970 dates.
Friend [pointing at Cueball and his computer]: Epoch fail!

  • ramble81@lemm.ee
    17·
    11 months ago

    General computers, you’re right… however, embedded systems and custom programs are a whole different story.

    • Arghblarg
      7·
      11 months ago

      Can confirm. I can’t give details, but … yeah. Had to file a card just last month about a uint32_t UTC time value being used in a device-to-cloud message where it will definitely need to be upgraded to a uint64_t before good ol’ 2038 comes …

      • ramble81@lemm.ee
        121·
        11 months ago

        Here’s an easy example…. Planes average about 30 years. They are usually developed over the span of 5-7 years. 64-bit processors didn’t even hit mainstream till 2003. Like cars, planes are a bit behind because they usually want them as solid as possible. So right then a life span of a plan could have been built with 32-bit systems that will still be in use in 2038. Some B-52s have had 60+ year spans. Also programs that were designed with 32-bit time to save space at a database level for example would need to be rewritten. It’s more things than you think.

      • this_1_is_mine@lemmy.world
        8·
        11 months ago

        Some of these systems have already been in place for over 15 years. Do You really think they will be replaced in that amount of time if they are still working?