Computer programs have become so complex that if one breaks it is essentially impossible to repair. An expert comrade (DW) offers the following prescription to follow when something goes wrong and software fails:

• Reboot the computer and try it again; if that doesn't work, then
• Reinstall the software, reboot, and try it again; if that doesn't work, then
• Reinstall the operating system, reinstall the software, reboot, and try it again.

He then observes, "The last is (almost) guaranteed to work most of the time."

TopicHumor - TopicProgramming - 2004-06-15

(correlates: CleanupHitter, IncommuniCoders, FirmwareBugs, ...)