Can Analog Computers Catch A Cold?

[GrahamKnott]

I’m asking this deceptively simple question because no matter how I word it, Google absolutely refuses to play ball. Okay: can analogue (or analog) computers become infected with a virus? (Or to quote the space systems engineer, Robert Zubrin, is this like human beings contracting Dutch Elm Disease?) Seriously, though, I’d appreciate any halfway decent responses.

Thanks in advance.

[Bruce]

if you define a virus as ‘code’ than how can an analogue computer be infected?
and if an analogue computer is running code, than it’s not analogue.

[GrahamKnott]

Thanks a lot. I assume from this then that if future supercomputers have an analog component, this aspect of them will at least be proof against all (known) forms of viral infection. . . right?

[Bruce]

I would have thought the very term analogue computer was an oxymoron.

[GrahamKnott]

Oxymorons exist. Analog computers have been around a mighty long time; and they’re with us still, often (but not exclusively) as interfaces for digital systems. Check out Wikipedia.

[Bruce]

I wasn’t arguing with you, simply stating that they are like airplane food or military intelligence.
Just two words that don’t fit well together.

But to get back on track, if a computer, any type, runs code, then that code can be altered and therefore falls into the category of being infected.

[veeg]

Any updates?

[veeg]

Any updates? After 48 hrs this thread will close.