> This is a misapplication of the idea of entropy or decay to real-world software problems. For a mathematical equation, or for a computer program that's writt

> This is a misapplication of the idea of entropy or decay to real-world software problems. For a mathematical equation, or for a computer program that's written and then never touched again, obviously true -- after all, these things aren't part of physics, how could entropy play a role? But for a computer program or language that's subject to perpetual revision to meet new needs, entropy's role is self-evident. Microsoft Windows is a classic example -- there are parts of Windows that cry out to be removed and replaced, like the presence of drive letters to name just one, except for the requirements of legacy compatibility. For a sufficiently long-lived program or language, one that's subjected to major revisions over time, something very much like entropy is present and obvious. And the closer to everyday reality the software is, the more subject to user demands and changes, to that same degree the software's history exhibits something like entropy -- until finally the software's maintainers decide to just abandon the effort and start over. Just as with actual physical systems.