Recreating the Digital World: The First 10 Programs to Restore After a Devastating Code Loss

Imagine a world where all the computer code has been lost, and only a few lucky individuals possess essential knowledge to reconstruct the digital world. This scenario is both a warning and a fascinating thought experiment. In this article, we explore which programs would be the first to be recreated, and how this would impact the global economy and society.

The Initial Wealthy Gold Rush

If all our computer code was lost, a thousand companies would rush to recreate applications like Microsoft Office. The developers, realizing the potential and value of their knowledge, might even decide to strike out on their own. Imagine the scenario: a meeting between developers and a new partner, forming a new company with shares distributed among them. In a few short years, this company would become incredibly profitable, making each developer far wealthier than staying with a large corporation. This scenario is a reflection of the vast value and importance of software developers and the code they write.

The Key Programs to Recreate

The following ten programs would be essential to recreate:

1. Assembler

With a little time, this would be the first to be built. Assembler is a low-level programming language, closely tied to machine language, and would serve as a stepping stone to more complex languages. It allows for direct interaction with hardware, a crucial foundation to rebuild the digital world.

2. Rust

Rust provides system-level code without a garbage collector or memory errors, with a flair of functional programming. Its stability and reliability make it a strong contender for critical system components and any new projects that need robust, efficient, and secure coding.

3. JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and WebAssembly

Together, these four elements form the backbone of the web. HTML defines the structure, CSS enhances the style, JavaScript adds interactivity, and WebAssembly compiles higher-level languages into a format that can be executed in a web browser. Rebuilding these would be crucial for the reestablishment of the internet and web applications.

4. Linux

Linux is a free and open-source operating system, essential for the development and maintenance of new software. Without Linux, building new operating systems would be significantly more challenging, and the lack of a foundation for system-level programming would hamper progress.

5. Star Office

Star Office, a free and open-source office suite, provides essential applications like word processors, spreadsheets, and presentation tools. These tools would be vital for document management, calculations, and presentations in a post-code-loss world.

6. PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL is an open-source relational database system, similar in functionality to Oracle. It would be essential for managing and storing data in a structured and efficient manner, something that cannot be overstated in any modern IT endeavor.

7. Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code is an open-source, extensible source code editor developed by Microsoft. It provides a robust environment for building and editing source code across various programming languages. Without such a tool, the code development process would be significantly slower and more error-prone.

8. HTTP and HTTPS

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) are essential for communication over the web. Without these protocols, establishing secure and efficient communication between web servers and clients would be nearly impossible. Rust would be an excellent language for implementing these protocols due to its performance and safety features.

The time to rebuild these essential protocols would be extensive, as they require not only the implementation but also rigorous testing and distribution. The process would be a monumental task, but the eventual success would transform the world once again.

The Impact and Challenges

With no code running, the world would revert to a 1950s era of technology. Modern vehicles, trains, boats, and anything with a chip would be rendered inoperable. E elevators and traffic lights would cease to function, leading us back to a pre-electronic age. The world would need to restart from the 1950s technology level, and the process would take a significant amount of cooperation and time to rebuild infrastructure and software.

Essential like the New York City Subway would become useless due to the modern switching systems. People would need to rely on agrarian ways of life, and those in warm areas with sufficient food resources would be the most likely to survive. Expect significant mortality and morbidity as hospitals, banks, and smartphones become inoperable. The medical field, dependent on software, would be deeply impacted, making survival a significant challenge.

In summary, the loss of all computer code would be catastrophic, but the reconstruction would begin with the creation of these ten essential programs. The process would be a monumental undertaking that would require the cooperation of a global community determined to rebuild a digital world that has lost its foundational code.