Just Curious...

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giusti

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Has anyone seen a cyberpunk work in which direct programming is used? What I mean by that, is that the programming for any viruses, patches, or other programs is shown. I ask this on a purely self-centered note, as in my current WIP (not technically still in progress, but in the editing phases), I use small excerpts of scripting. I was just wondering if anyone has seen this done effectively, and if so, (or if not) what made it work (not work)?

Thanks,

-giusti
 

yanallefish

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Good question. I haven't seen a lot of it at all, no -- I myself write dystopian futures when I'm doing sf, and they do wander in and out of the computer realms, but I don't put huge amounts of programming in at all. The closest I've seen is Dan Simmons' Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion. Those are pretty good, in my estimation, and the coding-type stuff he puts in works all right.
 

V.W. Singer

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Unless your program excerpts are total invention, I would think that you run the risk of looking very dated quite quickly. In addition, other than code that is a few characters long or which contains something vital to the plot, I would think most people would just skim right past it when reading.
 

ReneC

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If you're going to create your own programming language, it could provide an interesting insight into your world. Otherwise, treat it like any foreign language either by making the code understandable for non-programmers or explaining (read: translating) what it does. Like any translation, you could provide special knowledge for people who know the programming language which can be rewarding if that's your target audience, as long as you don't alienate non-programmers by having them miss out on any important details. If it's just for flavour, then remember that most people gloss right over songs, too.
 

lute

Unless your program excerpts are total invention, I would think that you run the risk of looking very dated quite quickly. In addition, other than code that is a few characters long or which contains something vital to the plot, I would think most people would just skim right past it when reading.

I agree with VW Singer on this one. It sounds like a very neat concept, one that I've never seen done before, but I think a few risks, such as the ones mentioned above, are included. Personally, since I'm into coding and what have you, I would probably read the code rather than skimming through it, but the average reader would probably skip it. If it's integral to the plot, or the kind of coding is unique (or has clues/hints for the story itself, which would be awesome) then I think it's a pretty nifty idea. : )
 

giusti

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In addition, other than code that is a few characters long or which contains something vital to the plot, I would think most people would just skim right past it when reading.

This is mostly what I'm concerned about. Here's some sample coding of the average length for the WIP; It would be really helpful if you guys could critique exactly how understandable it is, how interest-holding, and how much experience in the field you have. (and for brownie points, if any of you have some computer know-how, guesses on what programming language(s) it's based off of)

on(exhale) {
bypass(_root.level_9.sensor);
_root.level_9.sensor = false;
_root.level_9.process >= 90;
if(_root.level_9.execute.function == true) {
function(excecute) {
_this.delete;
}
_root.level_9.execute.function = false;
_root.level_9.sensor.pain = _root.level_9.sensor.pain + var14
}
}

also, the good news is that, as I'm searching through my WIP for codes to sample, all of them are explained fairly fully outside of the coding itself, albeit indirectly. So if it's not understandable, it just becomes, like a song, a visual effect.

Thanks,

-giusti
 

giusti

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the tabs didn't come out after posting. I'll use spaces.

|on(exhale) {
| bypass(_root.level_9.sensor);
| _root.level_9.sensor = false;
| _root.level_9.process >= 90;
| if(_root.level_9.execute.function == true) {
| function(excecute) {
| _this.delete;
| }
| _root.level_9.execute.function = false;
| _root.level_9.sensor.pain = _root.level_9.sensor.pain + var14
| }
|}
 

poetinahat

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I'm not sure, but there was a film from a few years back -- The Bank, starring Anthony LaPaglia and David Wenham -- that may have had specific references to hacking code. I'm not sure. Fine film, though.
 

OddButInteresting

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:Cake:200th post :partyguy:

Try Crichton. I'm pretty sure he writes-out programming code in Prey. After all, computer science is integral to the story.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe there are also similar instances in Jurassic Park.
 
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NicoleMD

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Did Snow Crash have code snippets in it? I'll check when I get home. It certainly had a bunch of illustrations. Something of the size you posted would fit well, I think.

Nicole
 

giusti

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yeah, i think i remembered something along these lines in Jurassic Park, come to think of it. Though, as with Prey, I read it a while back. My gf's reading Prey right now, so I'll ask her if she's seen anything of the sort.

Thanks for the feedback ^_^

-giusti
 

Ruv Draba

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I think of computer programming script as a little like Elvish script etc... it's primarily there for mood and aesthetics. It seldom contributes to plot, theme or character, and so I think it should be used very sparingly at best.

But worse than that, unlike Elvish script, with computer script you're often writing for subject matter experts (SMEs). If you write some software script, you should expect computer nerdies to try to identify it, analyse it and speculate about it. That means you need to know enough to make it credible -- or else have a very good SME to source. As with most other sciences, I'd suggest that 'very good' SME means either at least postgraduate student, or a skilled professional who specialises in the specific IT area.

If you don't do this, then you can get some very embarrassing results. Most movies about computers make rudimentary mistakes about computer security. Gibson, whose aesthetics are normally very well-polished, often gets operational and architectural details about computing just plain wrong.

If you're writing a modern Information Technology (IT) thriller, then excerpted script, if well researched, might be used sparingly as a curio. But if you're writing anything futuristic, I'd strongly recommend avoiding it unless you're an IT boffin and your story's main task is to speculate about IT.
 

giusti

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Personally, I know enough programming languages to make it credible to most any audience. However, i quite agree with your point on the subject-matter of the book. I have come to realize that each time i use scripting (and looking through my WIP, I happily find that I don't all that much), it is used in a way that advances the plot. But knowing what the programming itself says is non-important, as the way that it advances the plot is by helping the reader get inside the head of the MC. In that sense, while anyone who chooses to look close will find all of the syntax correct, the scripts are all completely aesthetic.

-giusti
 

DraperJC

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For the snippet posted, I would be interested if you had already established that the main character cared very deeply about root sensor 9 (or whatever that was, I'm not a programmer.) In general I think your idea would be a good one. It worked for me as a reader when I read Crichton's works mentioned above.
 
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