Uncertainty surrounds next week’s “pre-millennium bug”. When clocks roll over
to 9 September 1999—09/09/99—some programmers believe this could
cause system failures because computers will interpret it as 9999, which means
“end of file” in some programming languages. But sceptics dismiss this, saying
there would only be problems if computers read a date consisting of six
nines—99/99/99. Either way, both camps agree that the date change serves
as a good test run for 1 January.
More from 鶹ý
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending 鶹ý articles
1
We've found a mysterious substance on Titan and Pluto
2
A quantum state that lasts forever may finally be within our grasp
3
Faecal transplant makes the brains of old mice act young again
4
We may have finally solved cosmology's chicken-or-the-egg problem
5
Remarkable fossils rewrite the story of how animals conquered the land
6
The secrets to keeping your brain sharp in old age
7
Has the answer to life's origins been hiding in our cells all along?
8
Cervical cancer deaths have plummeted thanks to HPV vaccine
9
Why your brain needs plenty of “Aha!” moments
10
Inside the start-up aiming for a giant leap in robot intelligence
