No Code: Null Programs
Name
TROPE-13-03.pdf
Size
144.22 KB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
e3c13c8fba3e9b2bc11731077b83e28d
Author(s)
Montfort, Nick
Date Issued
June 5, 2014
Series/Report no.
TROPE;13-03
Abstract
To continue the productive discussion of uninscribed artworks in Craig Dworkin’s No Medium, this report discusses, in detail, those computer programs that have no code, and are thus empty or null. Several specific examples that have been offered in different contexts (the demoscene, obfuscated coding, a programming challenge, etc.) are analyzed. The concept of a null program is discussed with reference to null strings and files. This limit case of computing shows that both technical and cultural means of analysis are important to a complete understanding of programs – even in the unusual case that they lack code.
Terms of Use
Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 United States
Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 United States
Persistent DSpace Link
