Difference between revisions of "Reverse engineering"
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'''Reverse engineering''' is a | '''Reverse engineering''' is the process of studying a piece of technology to learn its operating priciples, generally by taking it apart and examining its structure. The objective is to learn to reproduce technology that you can not currently make. | ||
== Examples in real life == | == Examples in real life == | ||
*The [[Nazi Germany|German]] ''Panzershrek'' anti-tank rocket launcher is a weapon based heavily on captured ''bazookas''. | |||
*The [[Nazi Germany|German]] ''Panzershrek'' | *The [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics|Soviet]] ''Tupolev Tu-4'' bomber is reverse-engineered duplicate of the ''Boeing B-29 Superfortress''. | ||
*The [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics|Soviet]] ''Tupolev Tu-4'' bomber is reverse engineered duplicate of the ''Boeing B-29 Superfortress'' | |||
== Examples in Science Fiction == | == Examples in Science Fiction == | ||
*In the [[Stargate]] franchise, humans have managed to use captured alien technology to develop and build starships. | |||
*In the [[Stargate]] franchise, humans have managed to use captured alien technology to develop and build starships | |||
== Limits of Reverse Engineering == | == Limits of Reverse Engineering == | ||
While reverse engineering can accelerate technological development, it does have its limitations. For example, if an M1 Abrams main battle tank was dropped in Rome in 25 BCE, and Augustus decided to take it apart to duplicate it, he would be unable to do so because the Romans lacked the industries to produce high enough quality steel for the vehicle, let alone be able to produce the engine, the fuel, electronics, optics or the Chobham armor. | |||
Nevertheless, in [[versus]] debates, people who are fond of the [[no limits fallacy]] tend to overlook the limits on technological understanding, assuming that any captured enemy technology will be dissected, duplicated and put into production within weeks regardless of the breadth of the technology gap. | |||
Nevertheless, in versus debates | |||
[[Category:Science]] | [[Category:Science]] | ||
[[Category:Real Technology]] | [[Category:Real Technology]] | ||
[[Category: Science Fiction]] | [[Category: Science Fiction]] | ||
Revision as of 13:30, 17 March 2008
Reverse engineering is the process of studying a piece of technology to learn its operating priciples, generally by taking it apart and examining its structure. The objective is to learn to reproduce technology that you can not currently make.
Examples in real life
- The German Panzershrek anti-tank rocket launcher is a weapon based heavily on captured bazookas.
- The Soviet Tupolev Tu-4 bomber is reverse-engineered duplicate of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress.
Examples in Science Fiction
- In the Stargate franchise, humans have managed to use captured alien technology to develop and build starships.
Limits of Reverse Engineering
While reverse engineering can accelerate technological development, it does have its limitations. For example, if an M1 Abrams main battle tank was dropped in Rome in 25 BCE, and Augustus decided to take it apart to duplicate it, he would be unable to do so because the Romans lacked the industries to produce high enough quality steel for the vehicle, let alone be able to produce the engine, the fuel, electronics, optics or the Chobham armor.
Nevertheless, in versus debates, people who are fond of the no limits fallacy tend to overlook the limits on technological understanding, assuming that any captured enemy technology will be dissected, duplicated and put into production within weeks regardless of the breadth of the technology gap.