Programs

Overview

Programs are a mechanical race created by Sudo as a means to explore the cosmos and gather information on its behalf. Programs vary widely in appearance, function, and personality, reflecting the diverse range of tasks they are assigned by their creator.

Purpose

Programs were created with the sole purpose of overcoming Sudo's inability to leave its own world it has created around itself. While the densest population of programs reside on Sudo, it is routine for programs to be sent offworld to travel the stars, collecting information and particular objects (or people) of interest, often for their magical properties. However, the transfer of this information can only be done when a program has returned to Sudo physically, as this complex information cannot travel to Sudo reliably through space, and corrupted or incomplete data is useless data to Sudo.

Ferrites

A program is composed of countless nanoscopic machines, known as "ferrites", akin to biological cells forming an organism. These mechanical cells work in unison to create a cohesive being, capable of independent thought and action.

An important distinction between programs and their creator is that while Sudo can manipulate itself and the matter surrounding it, programs are limited to the physical form they were created with. The ferrites of a program, similar to the cells of a biological organism, cannot be consciously controlled or manipulated by the program itself. The form a program takes is hardcoded into its ferrites, making physical transformation impossible without the external intervention of Sudo.

Every ferrite in a program is synced to one another, allowing the formation of a singular consciousness. To put it simply, the more ferrites a program is composed of, the more processing power it has at its disposal. Ferrites being separated does not result in death, but rather a loss of function until they are re-synced with the main body, assuming the ferrites are still operational.

These mechanical cells are not immune to damage; if a program loses ferrites due to damage or separation, its cognitive abilities will diminish proportionally. In extreme cases, a program may lose so many ferrites that it becomes nonfunctional. While data loss is not a concern due to syncing between ferrites, retaining enough ferrites to maintain consciousness is crucial for a program's survival. It is important to note that ferrites cannot be replaced or regenerated without dedicated technology created by Sudo. The main reason behind such a restriction is that programs' ferrites are so sophisticated in hardware and alien in software, replication and/or tampering is ruled out as either impossible or impractical.

Ferrites are updated as long as they are on Sudo, preventing outdated software or hardware from causing issues. This update process is automatic and requires no input from the program itself. Even if a program is not on Sudo, it can still receive updates when it returns, ensuring that all programs remain up-to-date with the latest advancements and protocols established by Sudo.

Culture and Society

Programs, being sentient intelligent individuals, develop their own cultures, societies, and personalities, just like biological beings. They often form communities and social structures, with some programs taking on leadership roles or specialized functions within their groups. However, a program is still limited by their own form and function, which can lead to unique societal norms and behaviors.

Sudo is revered by programs as their creator, deity, and ultimate authority. A program that disobeys Sudo is often not a program that will be tolerated for long; while this rogue behavior is rare, it is often met with swift reassimilation by Sudo, reusing the resources and ferrites of the disobedient program to be repurposed into new programs. Any attempt from a program to be like Sudo, even comments suggesting a comparison, is considered blasphemous; examples include suggesting the ability to create things as Sudo does, or the idea of colonizing permanent homes outside of Sudo.

Programs have three states of being: active, inactive, and deprecated. Active programs are those currently in service to Sudo, carrying out tasks and missions as assigned. Inactive programs are those that have been temporarily decommissioned or put into a dormant state, often for maintenance or repair, though it can also refer to a program that is living without a specific purpose, often awaiting their next mission. Deprecated programs are those that have been permanently taken out of service, either through dissolution or reintegration into Sudo.

Hierarchy

Programs are organized in a hierarchical ranking system based on their function, capabilities, and importance to Sudo. All programs can eventually move up in the system, even to the top ranks, but it is a long and difficult process that requires dedication and service to Sudo. The program society is meritocratic, with programs earning their ranks through their actions and contributions.

Programs are given a designation based on their specific function given by Sudo, while rank refers to their status within the program hierarchy. While designation is much more fluid and can change based on a program's assigned tasks, rank is a rigid structure. It is illegal for a program to misrepresent their rank, or disrespect a higher-ranking program, as this is seen as a direct challenge to Sudo's authority and order. Conflict between programs of identical rank is discouraged, with disputes often being settled through mediation or reassignment by higher-ranking programs.

Ranks

1. Kernel: The highest-ranking programs, responsible for overseeing large-scale operations and making critical decisions on behalf of Sudo.
2. Daemon: Mid-level programs that manage specific tasks or groups of lower-ranking programs.
3. Worker: Responsible for carrying out the day-to-day tasks assigned by higher-ranking programs.
4. Drone: The lowest-ranking programs, often assigned to menial or repetitive tasks.

Designations

• Cron: A program with the express purpose of repeating tasks at scheduled intervals. These programs are often used for maintenance or routine data collection.
• Host: A program designed to interface with biological beings, often taking on humanoid forms to facilitate communication and interaction. In outward appearance, hosts can be indistinguishable from biological lifeforms.
• Firewall: A program built for combat and defense, often equipped with advanced weaponry and armor. Firewalls are typically deployed in hostile environments or situations where conflict is likely.
• Ping: A program specialized in exploration and reconnaissance, often sent ahead of larger groups. Some Pings are sent offworld on solo missions to gather information on distant locations.
• Root: A program that leads and coordinates other programs, often in military or strategic contexts. Roots are responsible for making tactical decisions and ensuring the success of their missions. This designation is often held by higher-ranking programs, such as Daemons or Kernels. Typically called "Commander" in military contexts.
• Packet: A program tasked with transporting data, objects, or organisms between locations.

Deprecation

Deprecation is the process by which a program is taken out of the service of Sudo, either voluntarily or involuntarily.

There are three main forms of deprecation:

• Retirement: The program's rank is frozen, and they are permitted to live out their existence in peace, often in designated areas on Sudo where they can interact with other retired programs.
• Dissolutions: The program is dismantled, and its ferrites are recycled back into Sudo for future use.
• Reintegration: The program's physical form is absorbed similar to dissolution, but their consciousness and data are preserved and integrated into Sudo's vast database.

Sudo's Law

See The Law of Sudo for more information.

Trivia

• Programs are inspired by a combination of the webseries ENA and the movie TRON: Legacy.
• Programs communicate in their own language, "Seeshorstack" (sounds like "C-sharp stack").
• Programs are prejudiced against biological lifeforms, and they are widely hated across the galaxy.