In 1987 I accidentally IPL'd the production mainframe, taking down Natwest's entire network of terminals throughout New Zealand.

After the fuss died down, my manager took me to one side.

"Not thinking, Mr Guiness?"

"...no"

"Won't do it again, will you?"

"...no"

Not strictly a programming mistake, but one I remember vividly and with increasing nostalgia as time goes by.

 

In reply to Re: Greatest programming mistakes and what to learn from by EdwardG
in thread Greatest programming mistakes and what to learn from by Mr. Lee

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