Joke programs

Joke programs are computer programs designed for the purpose of humor or entertainment, rather than expressing a practical application or providing utility. Sometimes referred to as pranks or hoaxes, they typically function by presenting a scenario or message to the user, or by displaying humorous content. Although joke programs typically remain harmless, infecting a computer with a virus or other malicious software should always be avoided.

History

The earliest example of a joke program lies in the form of the computer program ELIZA, written in 1966 by professor Joseph Weizenbaum at MIT. ELIZA presented the user with a simple menu of options, and then provided responses based on the user’s input. Although ELIZA displayed humorous content in its responses, the more notable aspect of the program was its ability to present itself as a conversational agent.

The advent of personal computing in the late 1970s and 1980s saw a number of joke programs being created as the rapidly-growing hobbyist computer community sought entertainment. These programs often employed graphical elements, sound effects, and humorous text messages in order to create a light-hearted atmosphere for users. The start of the World Wide Web in the early 1990s saw an explosion of features to sites that included downloads of joke programs, virtual greeting cards, and other entertainment-focused content.

Usage

Today, joke programs remain one of the most popular ways for computer users to have fun, as they can be easily distributed via the internet or installed onto a user’s computer. For instance, users may encounter joke programs on social media, messaging apps, and websites. Similarly, joke programs may be installed onto a user’s computer, where they can provide an entertaining distraction from tedious tasks such as programming or web browsing. Joke programs may also be created by computer users themselves, giving them a chance to demonstrate their creativity in creating a humorous work of art.

Joke programs may range from simple messages and graphics, to more complicated applications that have the ability to respond to user input or even modify existing files on a user’s system. No matter the nature of the joke program, however, all users should be aware of potential security risks and alert their antivirus programs at the first sign of any malicious activity.