On Wed, Apr 4, 2012 at 12:46 AM, Grant Edwards <invalid@invalid.invalid> wrote: > Anybody remember DEC's VAX/VMS "patch" utility? Apparently, DEC > thought it was a practical way to fix things. It had a built-in > assembler and let you "insert" new code into a function by > auto-allocating a location for the new code an hooking it into the > indicated spot with jump instructions. > > The mind wobbled.
Not specifically, but I _have_ heard of various systems whose source code and binary were multiple years divergent. It's actually not a difficult trap to fall into, especially once you start patching running systems. I've had quite a few computers that have been unable to reboot without assistance, because they go for months or years without ever having to go through that initial program load. (I've had _programs_ that were unable to load, for the same reason.) But auto-allocating a new spot for your expanded function? That's just... awesome. My mind is, indeed, wobbling. ChrisA -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
