Idiot code: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 10:03, 2 May 2007

Revision as of 07:12, 30 May 2007

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{{Wikify|date=November 2006}}

{{Unreferenced|date=April 2007}}

An '''idiot code''' is a [[code]] whereupon the "[[syntax]]" or "rules" of [[communication]] are worked out between the parties.

'''==Example:'''==

Any sentence where 'day' and 'night' are used means 'attack'. The ___location mentioned in the following sentence specifies the ___location to be attacked.

Message ! Tomorrow we'll head ontoon to Rome.

==De-coding==

There are only two ways to break this code:

# Know what the rules are.

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The problem with number 2 is that you would need several verified messages of this type to determine the rules of communication.

==Disadvantages==

The drawbacks of this type of message passing is that is it extremely limited. A [[codebook]] would be needed to effectively communicate complex information. Simple information such as "'yes" or "no" can be built into to phrases and have several variants. However, complex information such as "Meet a man with red hair under the Bass Bridge at 12:43 and be sure to wear a black cloak and a fedora so he recognises you" would be much harder unless you have constructed your rules to allow for this type of information to be passed.

This type of communication is akin to the hand signals used by armies in the field.