Backup script ingested an accidental asterisk and deleted everything
A 21-year-old programmer named Miller accidentally deleted all data while running a cleanup script on a mainframe. The error occurred when an asterisk was passed instead of a specific drive letter, leading to the deletion of every file and code. This incident highlights the risks of allowing inexperienced individuals to write critical code without proper oversight.
- ▪Miller wrote a cleanup routine for a mainframe that inadvertently deleted all data due to an error in drive letter assignment.
- ▪The mistake happened when the system assigned an asterisk instead of a specific drive letter, causing the deletion command to apply to all files.
- ▪It took Miller a full day to restore the lost data, impacting 20 other employees who were unable to work during that time.
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