bit rot [English]
Other Languages
InterPARES Definition
n. ~ The corruption of digital information at the binary level, while in transmission or during storage, that results from bits randomly changing value (zero to one or one to zero).
Other Definitions
- Wikipedia (†387 s.v. "bit rot"): n. ~ Bit rot, also bit decay, data rot, or data decay, is a colloquial computing phrase for the gradual decay of storage media or an explanation for the degradation of a software program over time, even if ‘nothing has changed’.
Citations
- Breeding 2010 (†611 p.33): The other problem involves “bit rot”: Unattended digital content will eventually deteriorate. And with digital files, it only takes a small amount of corruption to make an entire file unusable. It’s unfortunate but true that data on all forms of storage media deteriorate over long periods of time. Both magnetic and optical devices are subject to losing bits of information over time. The use of higher-quality media and storage in a well-controlled environment will extend the life, but not indefinitely. (†1402)
- Scardilli 2014 (†610 p.12): Chris Cowan, ProQuest’s VP of product management, believes there are three reasons microfilm has not gone the way of the floppy disk: archival value, ownership ability, and highly specialized microfilm-only information. ... Digital data actually degrades due to bit rot, the deterioration of electronic programs or files after a period of no usage. “[T]he data begins to erode in little increments, but steadily it gets worse." (†1401)