🚀 go-pugleaf

Well I remember reading a science fiction story when I was in High School
(before 1975) that used the term "Virus" to talk about this kind of program.

It was passed over the phone line via modem (as I remember the story was
written in the time frame when large "time-share" services were very popular,
just before micro-computers started taking off. That would place it in the
late 60's or early 70's... nearly 20 years ago). The general plot (I can't
remember the title) was this "Computer Programmer" gets a new job, and shortly
after that while working on the company computer the machine interrupts him
and "reports" that it is the program he wrote back in college. His "virus"
has spread silently to thousands of computers, and has rewritten itself many
times to improve its capabilities.

Like our receint "Internet-virus/worm"'s author, he had attempted (when he
realized it was getting away from him) to "kill" it. However it had gone
too far and "tricked" him into thinking his "kill" was successful.

The rest of the story (which I don't remember too clearly) is about how
this "Computer Programmer" deals with the return of his "virus".

I remember quite clearly the "Computer Programmer" in the story discussing
his situation with other characters, including his boss, and using the
"virus analogy" to explain the operation of the program.


Does anyone else remember this book and its title?

                                        R. Tim Coslet

Usenet: R_Tim_Coslet@cup.portal.com
BIX:    r.tim_coslet