A self replicating program, similar to a virus which was taken from a 1970s science fiction novel by John Bruner entitled the Shockwave Rider is ........

Solution (By Examveda Team)

The correct answer is Worm. A worm is a self-replicating program that spreads across networks and systems, much like a virus. The concept of a self-replicating program was popularized in the 1970s by John Brunner's science fiction novel, The Shockwave Rider. This novel depicted a computer program capable of self-replication and spreading, which inspired later real-world computer programs with similar behavior.

In computer science, a worm is different from a virus because it does not need to attach itself to a host program to spread. Instead, it can independently replicate and spread through network connections, making it a distinct type of malware.

Other options do not match the characteristics of the program described in the question:

Option A: Bug refers to an error or flaw in software that causes it to function incorrectly, not a self-replicating program.
Option B: Vice is unrelated to computer science and refers to immoral or wicked behavior.
Option C: Lice are parasitic insects and have no connection to computer programs.
Option E: None of these is incorrect as the right answer is a worm.