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Are there any examples of 'perfect' software? (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) by fortnitefinn@sh.itjust.works to c/programming@programming.dev
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I'm talking about programs that can't be improved no matter what. They do exactly what they're supposed to and will never be changed.

It'll probably have to be something small, like cd or pwd, but does such a program exist?

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[-] kibiz0r@midwest.social 17 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

Is there a perfect building?

Probably not, since they exist in an environment โ€” which is constantly changing โ€” and are used by people โ€” whose needs are constantly changing.

The same is true of software. Yes, programs consist of math which has objective qualities. But in order to execute in the physical world, they have to make certain assumptions which can always be invalidated.

Consider fast inverse sqrt: maybe perfect, for the time, for specific uses, on specific hardware? Probably not perfect for today.

this post was submitted on 15 Feb 2026
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