Here is a challenge:
What is the shortest possible compiled program? Writing one line programs are fun, but they often lean on language libraries that get pulled into the final bits. How lean can you get the 'scaffolding' that supports and hooks into the compiled instructions? This seems like an interesting question because then the smallest possible program for problem 'X' is going to be: (Smallest scaffolding bytecode size) + (smallest instructions to solve probem 'x")
The code must run on a common modern OS, such as *nix or windows (no embedded hex that runs on 1970s era mobos and chips). Doesn't matter if you are just exiting immediately, what language / platform produces the smallest bytecode? If you can get bytecode that is below a few dozen bytes, show your output.
I'll kick this off by setting a (very) low bar:
int main()
{
return 0;
}
This compiled in VS Pro 2022 as a release build c++ app with no changes to the default build flags produces an 11k exe that runs in windows. I think I might be able to get this smaller by playing with the build flags and possibly by building it as a 32 bit c app. I'm digging into some ASM docs to see if you can still hand write exes that run on a modern OS
Lets say that IL output is fair game, but non-compiled script languages need not apply...
A FEW ADDITIONAL NOTES
I used the definition of a 'modern' OS as one of the criteria. People are getting this right, but I am talking about either a 32 bit or 64 bit build. I think that 32 bit is generally going to be smaller in size, but feel free to try out 64 bit builds if you are so inclined.
Be sure that you aren't making debug builds in your compiler, as this will probably include additional debugging symbols. No need for debugging these apps, they are going to run perfectly on the first try, right?
