Yup, or even easier, a simple fork bomb. http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/understanding-bash-fork-bomb/#c... has examples in 5 languages, all shorter than this. :(){ :|:& };: in bash is the shortest example.

On the other hand, and machine with properly configured limits will mitigate either one.

I agree, rm -rf /

the problem is you need root for that. The OPs code there, even though it is quite amateurish, doesn't require root.