RE: 9999

[Glen.Vickers@ucm.com]

If I think back 20 years or so ago, I believe that 9999 was commonly a
default for the last line in a program where you could put your "end"
statement.  That way you always knew what the last line of the code would be
while you were developing the code.  I don't recall if 9999 was an arbitrary
number such that you would never envision writing that many lines of code,
or if that was the upper limit for numbering with respect to the limitations
of that program language.  I don't recall the actual number 9999 meaning
something in those older codes such as fortran or basic.

Does that sound about right?  I'm sure somebody out there has a better
memory.  Does anyone remember punch cards?

Glen
glen.vickers@ucm.com

	-----Original Message-----
	From:	Jim Bell [SMTP:jbell@adcoservices.com]
	Sent:	Thursday, September 09, 1999 11:43 AM
	To:	Multiple recipients of list
	Subject:	9999

	Hi Radsafers,

	I'm curious. Now that one of the "bewitching" days has arrived,
(9-9-99)
	in the computer world, have any of you experienced any problems with
	your computer systems? The story as I understand it is that back in
the
	"old days" many computers were programmed to consider 9999 in a
program
	as the end of the program or a command to stop the operation. We
haven't
	experienced a problem and early indications are that the utilities
here
	in the Chicago area are still on line. At least the lights and a.c.
	still work today so I guess that's a good sign. I haven't heard of
any
	problems at any of the nuclear generating stations in Illinois, so
let's
	keep our fingers crossed. Who knows, maybe Y2K IS a ploy by the
computer
	software folks to provide job security and lots of $$$$ after all. I
	still think I'll take a raincheck on flying anywhere though on
1-1-00,
	Oops, I mean 1-1-2000!

	Hope all of you out there are problem free. Cheer up. Tomorrow is
	9-10-99! If all goes well today we can all relax for another 3+
months
	before the "final" test.

	Jim Bell
	Adco Services, Inc.

	
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