eric@snark.thyrsus.com (Eric S. Raymond) (03/03/91)
Submitted-by: jargon@thyrsus.com
Archive-name: jargon/part14
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X systems (compare {iron}). Contrasted with software. See also
X {sandbender}.
X
Xsilicon foundry: n. A company that {fab}s chips to the designs of
X others. As of the late 1980s, the existence of silicon foundries
X made it much easier for hardware-designing startup companies to come
X into being. The downside of using a silicon foundry is that the
X distance from the actual chip fabrication processes leads to weaker
X designers. This is somewhat analogous to the use of a {HLL} versus
X coding in assembler.
X
Xsilly walk: [from Monty Python] vi. A ridiculous procedure required to
X accomplish a task. Like {grovel}, but more {random} and humorous.
X "I had to silly-walk through half the /usr directories to find the
X maps file."
X
Xsilo: n. The FIFO input-character buffer in an RS-232 line card. So
X called from DEC terminology used on DH and DZ line cards for the
X VAX and PDP-11, presumably because it was this storage space for
X fungible stuff that you put in the top and took out the bottom.
X
XSilver Book: n. Jensen & Wirth's infamous `Pascal User Manual
X and Report', so called because of the silver cover of the
X widely distributed Springer-Verlag second edition of 1978 (ISBN
X 0-387-90144-2). See {{book titles}}.
X
Xsince time T equals minus infinity: adj. A long time ago; for as
X long as anyone can remember; at the time that some particular frob
X was first designed. Sometimes the word `time' is omitted if there
X is no danger of confusing `T' as a time with {T} meaning `yes'.
X See also {time T}.
X
Xsitename: [UNIX/Internet] n. The unique electronic name of a
X computer system, used to identify it in UUCP mail, USENET, or other
X forms of electronic information interchange. The folklore interest
X of sitenames stems from the creativity and humor they often
X display. Interpreting a sitename is not unlike interpreting a
X vanity license plate; one has to mentally unpack it, allowing for
X mono-case and length restrictions and the lack of whitespace.
X Hacker tradition deprecates dull, institutional-sounding names in
X favor of punchy, humorous, and clever coinages (except that it is
X considered appropriate for the official public gateway machine of
X an organization to bear the organization's name or acronym).
X Mythological references, cartoon characters, animal names, and
X allusions to SF or fantasy literature are probably the most popular
X sources for sitenames (in roughly that order). The obligatory
X comment when discussing these is Harris's Lament: "All the good
X ones are taken!" See also {network address}.
X
Xskulker: n. Syn. {prowler}.
X
Xslap on the side: n. (also called a {sidecar}, or abbreviated
X `SOTS'.) A type of external expansion marketed by computer
X manufacturers (e.g. Commodore for their Amiga 500/1000 series and
X IBM for the hideous failure they called `PCjr'). Various SOTS boxes
X provided necessities such as memory, hard drive controllers, and
X conventional expansion slots.
X
Xsleep: vi. On a timesharing system, a process that relinquishes its
X claim on the scheduler until some given event occurs or a specified
X time delay elapses is said to `go to sleep'.
X
Xslim: n. A small, derivative change (e.g., to code).
X
Xslop: n. 1. A one-sided {fudge factor}, that is, an allowance for
X error but only in one of two directions. For example, if you need
X a piece of wire ten feet long and have to guess when you cut it,
X you make very sure to cut it too long, by a large amount if
X necessary, rather than too short by even a little bit, because you
X can always cut off the slop but you can't paste it back on again.
X When discrete quantities are involved, slop is often introduced to
X avoid the possibility of a {fencepost error}. 2. The ratio of
X the size of code generated by a compiler to the size of equivalent
X assembler code produced by {hand-hacking}, minus 1; i.e., the
X space (or maybe time) you lose because you didn't do it yourself.
X This number is often used as a measure of the goodness of a
X compiler; slop below 5% is very good, and 10% is usually acceptable
X for most purposes. With modern compiler technology, esp. on RISC
X machines, the compiler's slop may actually be *negative*; that
X is, humans may be unable to generate code as good. This is one of
X the reasons assembler programming is no longer common.
X
Xslopsucker: n. A lowest-priority task that must wait around until
X everything else has `had its fill' of machine resources. Only
X when the machine would otherwise be idle is the task allowed to
X `suck up the slop.' Also called a {hungry puppy}. One common
X variety of slopsucker hunts for large prime numbers. Compare
X {background}.
X
Xslurp: vt. To read a large data file entirely into core before working
X on it. This may be contrasted with the strategy of reading a small
X piece at a time, processing it, and then reading the next piece.
X "This program slurps in a 1K-by-1K matrix and does an FFT."
X
Xsmart: adj. Said of a program that does the {Right Thing} in a wide
X variety of complicated circumstances. There is a difference
X between calling a program smart and calling it intelligent; in
X particular, there do not exist any intelligent programs (yet).
X Compare {robust} (smart programs can be {brittle}).
X
Xsmart terminal: n. A terminal that has enough computing capability to
X perform useful work independently of the main computer. The
X development of workstations and personal computers has made this
X term and the product it describes semi-obsolescent, but one may
X still hear variants of the phrase "act like a smart terminal"
X used to describe the behavior of workstations/PCs with respect to
X programs that execute almost entirely out of a remote {server}'s
X storage, using said devices as displays. Compare {glass tty}.
X
X There's a classic quote from Rob Pike (inventor of the {blit}
X terminal): "A smart terminal is not a smart*ass* terminal,
X but rather a terminal you can educate." This illustrates a common
X design problem; the attempt to make peripherals (or anything else)
X intelligent sometimes results in finicky, rigid "special
X features" that become just so much dead weight if you try to use
X the device in any way the designer didn't anticipate. Flexibility
X and programmability, on the other hand, are *really* smart.
X Compare {hook}.
X
Xsmash case: vi. To lose or obliterate the uppercase/lowercase
X distinction in text input. "MS-DOS will automatically smash case
X in the names of all the files you create." Compare {fold case}.
X
Xsmash the stack: [C programming] n. On many C implementations it is
X possible to corrupt the execution stack by writing past the end of
X an array declared auto in a routine. Code that does this is said
X to `smash the stack', and can cause return from the routine to jump
X to a random text address. This can produce some of the most
X insidious data-dependent bugs known to mankind. Variants include
X `trash' the stack, {scribble} the stack, {mangle} the stack;
X {mung} the stack is not used as this is never done intentionally.
X See {spam}; see also {aliasing bug}, {fandango on core}, {memory
X leak}, {precedence lossage}, {overrun screw}.
X
Xsmiley: n. See {emoticon}.
X
Xsmoke test: n. 1. A rudimentary form of testing applied to
X electronic equipment following repair or reconfiguration, in which
X power is applied and the tester checks for sparks, smoke, or other
X dramatic signs of fundamental failure. 2. By extension, the first
X run of a piece of software after construction or a critical change.
X See {magic smoke}, and compare {reality check}.
X
X Note: There is an interesting parallel to this term among
X typographers and printers. When punchcutting new typefaces by
X hand, a `smoke test' (hold the letter in candle smoke, then press
X onto paper) is used to check out new dies.
X
Xsmoking clover: [ITS] n. A {display hack} originally due to Bill
X Gosper. Many convergent lines are drawn on a color monitor in
X {AOS} mode (so that every pixel struck has its color
X incremented). The lines all have one endpoint in the middle of the
X screen; the other endpoints are spaced one pixel apart around the
X perimeter of a large square. The color map is then repeatedly
X rotated. This results in a striking, rainbow-hued, shimmering
X four-leaf clover. Gosper joked about keeping it hidden from the
X FDA (the U.S.'s Food and Drug Administration) lest it be banned.
X
XSMOP: /smop/ [Simple (or Small) Matter of Programming] n. 1. A piece
X of code, not yet written, whose anticipated length is significantly
X greater than its complexity. Usage: used to refer to a program
X that could obviously be written, but is not worth the trouble. It
X is also used ironically to imply that a difficult problem can be
X easily solved because a program can be written to do it; the irony
X is that it is very clear that writing such a program will be a
X great deal of work. Example: "It's easy to enhance a FORTRAN
X compiler to compile COBOL as well; it's just a SMOP." 2. Often
X used ironically by the intended victim when a suggestion for a
X program is made which seems easy to the suggester, but is obviously
X a lot of work to the programmer.
X
XSNAFU principle: [from WWII army acronym for "Situation Normal,
X all Fucked Up"] n. "True communication is only possible between
X equals, because inferiors are more consistently rewarded for
X telling their superiors pleasant lies than for telling the truth"
X --- a central tenet of {Discordianism} often invoked by hackers
X to explain the reason authoritarian hierarchies screw up so
X reliably and systematically. This lightly adapted version of a
X fable dating back to the early 1960s illustrates the phenomenon
X perfectly:
X
X In the beginning was the plan,
X and then the specification;
X And the plan was without form,
X and the specification was void.
X
X And darkness
X was on the faces of the implementors thereof;
X And they spake unto their leader,
X saying:
X "It is a crock of shit,
X and smells as of a sewer."
X
X And the leader took pity on them,
X and spoke to the project leader:
X "It is a crock of excrement,
X and none may abide the odor thereof."
X
X And the project leader
X spake unto his section head, saying:
X "It is a container of excrement,
X and it is very strong, such that none may abide it."
X
X The section head then hurried to his department manager,
X and informed him thus:
X "It is a vessel of fertilizer,
X and none may abide its strength."
X
X The department manager carried these words
X to his general manager,
X and spoke unto him
X saying:
X "It containeth that which aideth the growth of plants,
X and it is very strong."
X
X And so it was that the General manager rejoiced
X and delivered the good news unto the Vice President.
X "It promoteth growth,
X and it is very powerful."
X
X The Vice President rushed to the President's side,
X and joyously exclaimed:
X "This powerful new software product
X will promote the growth of the company!"
X
X And the President looked upon the product,
X and it was very good.
X
X After the subsequent disaster, the {suit}s protect themselves by
X saying "I was misinformed", and the implementors are demoted or
X fired.
X
Xsnail-mail: n. Paper mail, as opposed to electronic. Sometimes
X written as the single word `SnailMail'. One's postal address is,
X correspondingly, a `snail address'. Derives from earlier
X coinage `USnail' for which there have been parody posters and
X stamps made. Oppose {email}.
X
Xsnarf: /snarf/ vt. 1. To grab, esp. a large document or file for the
X purpose of using it either with or without the author's permission.
X See {BLT}. Variant: `snarf down', to snarf, sometimes with the
X connotation of absorbing, processing, or understanding. "I think
X I'll snarf down the list of DDT commands so I'll know what's
X changed recently." 2. [in the UNIX community] to fetch a file or
X set of files across a network. See also {blast}. This term was
X mainstream in the late 1960s, meaning `to eat piggishly'.
X
Xsnarf & barf: /snarf'n-barf/ n. The act of grabbing a region of text
X using a {WIMP environment} and then stuffing the contents of that
X region into another region or into the same region, to avoid
X re-typing a command line. In the late 1960s this was a
X mainstream expression for an `Eat now, regret it later'
X cheap-restaurant expedition.
X
Xsnark: [Lewis Carroll, via the Michigan Terminal System] n. 1. A
X system failure. When a user's process bombed, the operator would
X get a message "Help, Help, Snark in MTS!". 2. More generally,
X any kind of unexplained or threatening event on a computer. Often
X used to refer to an event or log file entry that might indicate an
X attempted security violation. 3. UUCP name of snark.thyrsus.com,
X home site of the Jargon File 2.x.x versions (this lexicon).
X
Xsneakernet: n. Term used (generally with ironic intent) for transfer
X of electronic information by physically carrying tape, disks, or
X some other media from one machine to another. "Never
X underestimate the bandwidth of a station wagon filled with magtape,
X or a 747 filled with CD-ROMs." Also called `Tennis-Net',
X `Armpit-Net', `Floppy-Net'.
X
Xsniff: v.,n. Synonym for {poll}.
X
Xsnivitz: /sniv'itz/ n. A hiccup in hardware or software; a small,
X transient problem of unknown origin (less serious than a
X {snark}).
X
XSO: /ess-oh/ n. (also `S.O.') Acronym for Significant Other,
X almost invariably written abbreviated and pronounced /ess-oh/ by
X hackers. Used to refer to one's primary relationship, esp. a
X live-in to whom one is not married. See {MOTAS}, {MOTOS},
X {MOTSS}.
X
Xsocial science number: [IBM] n. A statistic which is
X {content-free}, or nearly so. A measure derived via methods of
X questionable validity from data of a dubious and vague nature.
X Predictively, having a social science number in hand is seldom much
X better than nothing and can be considerably worse. {Management}
X loves them. See also {numbers}, {math-out}, {pretty
X pictures}.
X
Xsoftcopy: n. [by analogy with `hardcopy'] A machine-readable form of
X corresponding hardcopy. See {bits}.
X
Xsoftware bloat: n. The results of {second-system effect} or
X {creeping featuritis}. Commonly cited examples include
X `ls(1)', {X}, {BSD}, {Missed'em-five}, and {OS/2}.
X
Xsoftware rot: n. Term used to describe the tendency of software
X which has not been used in a while; such failure may be
X semi-humorously ascribed to {bit rot}. More commonly,
X `software rot' strikes when a program's assumptions become out
X of date. If the design was insufficiently {robust}, this may
X cause it to fail in mysterious ways.
X
X For example, due to endemic shortsightedness in the design of COBOL
X programs, most will succumb to software rot when their two-digit
X year counters {wrap around} at the beginning of the year 2000.
X Actually, at least one instance of century wraparound recently
X became public in 1990, when a gentleman born in 1899 applied for a
X driver's license renewal in Raleigh, NC. The new system refused to
X issue the card, probably because it did some dimwitted thing like
X if `(birthyear > (thisyear - 100)) fail()'.
X
X Historical note: software rot in an even funnier sense than the
X mythical one was a real problem on early research computers (e.g.,
X the R1, see {grind crank}). If a program that depended on a
X peculiar instruction hadn't been run in quite a while, the user
X might discover that the opcodes no longer did the things as they
X used to. ("Hey, so-and-so needs an instruction to do
X such-and-such. We can snarf this opcode, right? No one uses
X it.")
X
X Another classic example of this sprung from the time an MIT hacker
X found a simple way to double the speed of the unconditional jump
X instruction on a PDP-6, so he patched the hardware. Unfortunately,
X this broke a delicate timing routine in a music-playing program,
X throwing its output out of tune. This was fixed by adding a
X defensive initialization routine to compare the speed of a timing
X loop with the real-time clock; in other words, it figured out how
X fast the PDP-6 was that day, and corrected appropriately.
X
X Compare {bit rot}.
X
Xsoftwarily: /soft-weir'i-lee/ adv. In a way pertaining to software.
X "The system is softwarily unreliable." The adjective
X `softwary' is *not* used. See {hardwarily}.
X
Xsofty: [IBM] n. Hardware hackers' term for a software expert who
X is largely ignorant of the mysteries of hardware.
X
Xsome random X: adj. Used to indicate a member of class X, with the
X implication that the particular X is interchangeable with most
X other Xs in whatever context was being discussed. "I think some
X random cracker tripped over the guest timeout last night." See
X also {J. Random}.
X
Xsorcerer's apprentice mode: n. A bug in a protocol where, under
X some circumstances, the receipt of a message causes more than one
X message to be sent, each of which, when received, triggers the same
X bug. Used esp. of such behavior caused by {bounce message}
X loops in {email} software. Compare {broadcast storm},
X {network meltdown}.
X
XSOS: n.,obs. /ess-oh-ess/ 1. An infamously {losing} text editor.
X Once, back in the 1960s, when a text editor was needed for the
X PDP-6, a hacker crufted together a {quick and dirty} `stopgap
X editor' to be used until a better one was written. Unfortunately,
X the old one was never really discarded when new ones (in
X particular, {TECO}) came along. SOS is a descendant of that
X editor; SOS means `Son of Stopgap', and many PDP-10 users gained
X the dubious pleasure of its acquaintance. Since then other
X programs similar in style to SOS have been written, notably BILOS
X /bye'lohs/ the Brother-In-Law Of Stopgap. See also {TECO}. 2.
X /sos/ n. Inverse of {AOS}, from the PDP-10 instruction set.
X
Xsource of all good bits: n. A person from whom (or a place from
X which) information may be obtained. If you need to know about a
X program, a {wizard} might be the source of all good bits. The
X title is often applied to a particularly competent secretary.
X
Xspace-cadet keyboard: n. The Knight keyboard, a now-legendary device
X used on MIT LISP machines, which inspired several still-current
X jargon terms and influenced the design of {EMACS}. It was inspired
X by the Stanford keyboard and equipped with no fewer than
X *seven* shift keys: four keys for {bucky bits} (`control',
X `meta', `hyper', and `super') and three like a regular shift key,
X called `shift', `top', and `front'. Many keys had three symbols
X on them: a letter and a symbol on the top, and a Greek letter on
X the front. For example, the `L' key had an `L' and a two-way
X arrow on the top, and the Greek letter lambda on the front. If you
X press this key with the right hand while playing an appropriate
X `chord' with the left hand on the shift keys, you can get the
X following results:
X
X L lower-case "l"
X shift-L upper-case "L"
X front-L Greek lower-case lambda
X front-shift-L Greek upper-case lambda
X top-L two-way arrow (front and shift are ignored)
X
X And of course each of these might also be typed with any combination
X of the control, meta, hyper, and super keys. On this keyboard, you
X could type over 8000 different characters! This allowed the user to
X type very complicated mathematical text, and also to have thousands
X of single-character commands at his disposal. Many hackers were
X actually willing to memorize the command meanings of that many
X characters if it reduced typing time (this view rather obviously
X shaped the interface of EMACS). Other hackers, however, thought
X having that many bucky bits was overkill, and objected that such a
X keyboard can require three or four hands to operate. See {bucky
X bits}, {cokebottle}, {double bucky}, {meta bit}, {quadruple
X bucky}.
X
XSPACEWAR: n. A space-combat simulation game (inspired by E. E.
X "Doc" Smith's `Lensman' books) in which two spaceships duel
X around a central sun, shooting torpedoes at each other and jumping
X through hyperspace. This game was first implemented on the PDP-1 at
X MIT in 1960-61. SPACEWAR aficionados formed the core of the early
X hacker culture at MIT. Ten years later, a descendant of the game
X motivated Ken Thompson to build, in his spare time on a scavenged
X PDP-7, the operating system that became {UNIX}. Ten years after
X that, SPACEWAR was commercialized as one of the first video games;
X descendants are still {feep}ing in video arcades everywhere.
X
Xspaghetti code: n. Describes code with a complex and tangled
X control structure, esp. one using many GOTOs, exceptions, or other
X `unstructured' branching constructs. Pejorative. The synonym
X `kangaroo code' has been reported.
X
Xspaghetti inheritance: n. [Encountered among users of object-oriented
X languages that use inheritance, such as Smalltalk] A convoluted
X class-subclass graph, often resulting from carelessly deriving
X subclasses from other classes just for the sake of reusing their
X code. Coined in a (successful) attempt to discourage such
X practice, through guilt by association with {spaghetti code}.
X
Xspam: [from the {MUD} community] vt. To crash a program by overrunning
X a fixed-size buffer with excessively large input data. See also
X {buffer overflow}, {overrun screw}, {smash the stack}.
X
Xspecial-case: vt. To write unique code to handle input or command
X to a program that is somehow distinguished from normal processing.
X This would be used for processing of mode switches or interrupt
X characters in an interactive interface (as opposed, say, to text
X entry or normal commands); or for processing of {hidden flag}s in
X the input of a batch program or {filter}.
X
Xspell: n. Syn. {incantation}.
X
Xspiffy: /spi'fee/ adj. 1. Said of programs having a pretty, clever,
X or exceptionally well-designed interface. "Have you seen the
X spiffy {X} version of {empire} yet?" 2. Said sarcastically of
X programs that are perceived to have little more than a flashy
X interface going for them. Which meaning should be drawn depends
X delicately on tone of voice and context. This word was common
X mainstream slang during the 1940s, in a sense close to #1.
X
Xspin: vi. Equivalent to {buzz}. More common among C and UNIX
X programmers.
X
Xspin-lock: [Cambridge] n. A {busy-wait}. Preferred in Britain.
X
Xspl: /ess-pee-ell/ [abbrev, from Set Priority Level] The way
X traditional UNIX kernels implement mutual exclusion by running code
X at high interrupt levels. Used in jargon to describe the act of
X tuning in or tuning out ordinary communication. Classically, spl
X levels run from 1 to 7; "Fred's at spl 6 today" would mean he's
X very hard to interrupt. "Wait till I finish this, I'll spl down
X then." See also {interrupts locked out}.
X
Xsplat: n. 1. Name used in many places (DEC, IBM, and others) for
X the asterisk (`*') character (ASCII #b0101010). This may derive
X from the `squashed-bug' appearance of the asterisk on many early
X line printers. 2. [MIT] Name used by some people for the
X number-sign (`#') character (ASCII #b0100011). 3. [Rochester
X Institute of Technology] The command key on a Mac (same as {ALT},
X sense #2). 4. [Stanford] Name used by some people for the
X Stanford/ITS extended ASCII
X circle-x
X character.
X This character is also called `blobby', and
X `frob', among other names; it is used by mathematicians as a
X notation for `cross-product'. 5. [Stanford] Name for the
X semi-mythical extended ASCII
X circle-plus
X
X character. 6. Canonical name for an output routine that outputs
X whatever the local interpretation of `splat' is.
X
X With ITS and WAITS gone senses 4-6 are now historical. See also
X {{ASCII}}.
X
Xspooge: /spooj/ 1. n. Inexplicable or arcane code, or random and
X probably incorrect output from a computer program. 2. vi. To
X generate code or output as in definition 1.
X
Xspool: [from early IBM `Simultaneous Peripheral Operation Off-Line',
X but this acronym is widely thought to have been contrived for
X effect] vt. To send files to some device or program (a `spooler')
X that queues them up and does something useful with them later. The
X spooler usually understood is the `print spooler' controlling
X output of jobs to a printer, but the term has been used in
X connection with other peripherals (especially plotters and graphics
X devices).
X
Xstack: n. A person's stack is the set of things he has to do in the
X future. One speaks of the next project to be attacked as having
X risen to the top of the stack. "I'm afraid I've got real work to
X do, so this'll have to be pushed way down on my stack." "I
X haven't done it yet because every time I pop my stack something new
X gets pushed." If you are interrupted several times in the middle
X of a conversation, "my stack overflowed" means "I forget what we
X were talking about" (the implication is that too many items were
X pushed onto the stack than could be remembered, and so the least
X recent items were lost). The usual physical example of a stack is
X to be found in a cafeteria: a pile of plates sitting on a spring in
X a well in a cart, so that when you put a plate on the top they all
X sink down, and when you take one off the top the rest spring up a
X bit. See also {push} and {pop}.
X
X At MIT, all the {stack} usages used to be more commonly found
X with {pdl}, and this may still be true. Everywhere else
X {stack} seems to be the preferred term. {Knuth} writes (in
X `The Art of Computer Programming' 2nd edition, vol 1, page 236
X in section 2.2.1):
X
X Many people who realized the important of stacks and queues
X independently have given other names to these structures:
X stacks have been called push-down lists, reversion storages,
X cellars, nesting stores, piles, last-in-first-out ("LIFO")
X lists, and even yo-yo lists!
X
Xstack puke: n. Some computers are said to `puke their guts onto the
X stack' to save their internal state during exception processing.
X On a pipelined machine this can take a while (up to 92 bytes for a
X bus fault on the 68020, for example).
X
Xstale pointer bug: n. Synonym for {aliasing bug} used esp. among
X microcomputer hackers.
X
Xstate: n. 1. Condition, situation. "What's the state of your latest
X hack?" "It's winning away.". Or "The system tried to read and
X write the disk simultaneously and got into a totally wedged
X state." A standard question is "What's your state?" which means
X "What are you doing?" or "What are you about to do?" Typical
X answers might be "About to gronk out", or "Hungry".
X Another standard question is "What's the state of the world?"
X meaning "What's new?" or "What's going on?". The more terse and
X humorous way of asking these conventions would be "State-p?". 2.
X Information being maintained in non-permanent memory (electronic or
X human).
X
Xstiffy: [Lowell University] n. 3.5" {microfloppies}, so called
X because their jackets are more firm than the 5.25" and 8" floppy.
X
Xstir-fried random: alt. `stir-fried mumble' n. Term used for frequent
X best dish of those hackers who can cook. Consists of random fresh
X veggies and meat wokked with random spices. Tasty and economical.
X See {random}, {great-wall}, {ravs}, {{Oriental Food}}; see also
X {mumble}.
X
Xstomp on: vt. To inadvertently overwrite something important, usually
X automatically. Example: "All the work I did this weekend got
X stomped on last night by the nightly server script." Compare
X {scribble}, {mangle}, {trash}, {scrog}, {roach}.
X
XStone Age: n.,adj. 1. In computer folklore, an ill-defined period
X from ENIAC (c.1943) to the mid-1950s; the great age of
X electromechanical {dinosaur}s. Sometimes used for the entire
X period up to 1960-61 (see {Iron Age}); however, it is funnier and
X more descriptive to characterize the latter half in terms of a
X `Bronze Age' era of all-transistor, pre-ferrite-core machines
X with drum or CRT mass storage (as opposed to just mercury delay
X lines and/or relays). See also {Iron Age}. 2. More generally, a
X pejorative for any crufty, ancient piece of hardware or software
X technology. Note that this is used even by people who were there
X for the {Stone Age} (sense #1).
X
Xstoppage: /sto'p@j/ n. Extreme {lossage} resulting in something
X (usually vital) becoming completely unusable. "The recent system
X stoppage was caused by a {fried} transformer."
X
Xstubroutine: /stuhb'roo-teen/ [contr. of `stub routine'] n. Tiny,
X often vacuous placeholder for a subroutine to be written or fleshed
X out later.
X
Xstudlycaps: /stuhd'lee-kaps/ n. A hackish form of silliness similar
X to {BiCapitalization}, but applied randomly and to random text
X rather than to trademarks. ThE oRigiN and SigNificaNce of thIs
X pRacTicE iS oBscuRe.
X
Xstunning: adj. Mind-bogglingly stupid. Usually used in sarcasm.
X "You want to code *what* in ADA? That's...a stunning idea!"
X See also {non-optimal solution}.
X
Xsubshell: [UNIX, MS-DOS] n. An OS command interpreter (see {shell})
X spawned from within a program, such that exit from the command
X interpreter returns one to the parent program in a state that
X allows it to continue execution. Oppose {chain}.
X
Xsucking mud: [Applied Digital Research] adj. (also `pumping
X mud') Crashed or wedged. Usually said of a machine that provides
X some service to a network, such as a file server. This Dallas
X regionalism derives from the East Texas oil field lament, "Shut
X 'er down, Ma, she's a-suckin' mud." Often used as a query. "We
X are going to reconfigure the network, are you ready to suck mud?"
X
Xsuit: n. 1. Ugly and uncomfortable `business clothing' often worn
X by non-hackers. Invariably worn with a `tie', a strangulation
X device which partially cuts off the blood supply to the brain. It
X is thought that this explains much about the behavior of
X suit-wearers. 2. A person who habitually wears suits, as distinct
X from a techie or hacker. See {loser}, {burble} and
X {brain-damaged}. English, BTW, is relatively kind; our Soviet
X correspondent informs us that the corresponding idiom in Russian
X hacker jargon is `sovok', lit. a tool for grabbing garbage.
X
Xsuitable win: n. See {win}.
X
Xsun-stools: n. Unflattering hackerism for SunTools, a pre-X windowing
X environment notorious in its day for size, slowness, and misfeatures
X ({X}, however, is larger and slower; see {second-system effect}).
X
Xsunspots: n. 1. Notional cause of an odd error. "Why did the
X program suddenly turn the screen blue?" "Sunspots, I guess".
X 2. Also the cause of {bit rot}, from the myth that sunspots
X will increase {cosmic rays} that can flip single bits in memory.
X See {cosmic rays}, {phase of the moon}.
X
Xsuperprogrammer: n. A prolific programmer; one who can code
X exceedingly well and quickly. Not all hackers are
X superprogrammers, but many are. (Productivity can vary from one
X programmer to another by factors of as much as 1000. For example,
X one programmer might be able to write an average of 3 lines of
X working code in one day, while another, with the proper tools and
X skill, might be able to write 3,000 lines of working code in one
X day. This variance is astonishing, matched in very few other areas
X of human endeavor.) The term superprogrammer is more commonly used
X within such places as IBM than in the hacker community. It tends
X to stress naive measures of productivity and underweight creativity
X or ingenuity. Hackers tend to prefer the terms {hacker} and
X {wizard}.
X
Xsupport: n. After-sale handholding; something many software vendors
X promise, but few deliver. To hackers, most support people are
X useless --- because by the time a hacker calls support he/she will
X usually know the relevant manuals better than the support people
X (sadly, this is *not* a joke or exaggeration). A hacker's
X idea of `support' is a one-on-one with the software's designer.
X
XSuzie COBOL: /soo'zee koh'bol/ 1. [IBM, prob. from Frank Zappa's
X `Suzy Creamcheese'] n. A coder straight out of training school who
X knows everything except the benefits of comments in plain English.
X Also (fashionable among personkind wishing to avoid accusations of
X sexism) `Sammy Cobol' or (in some non-IBM circles) `Cobol Charlie'.
X 2. [proposed] Meta-name for any {code grinder}, analogous to
X {J. Random Hacker}.
X
Xswab: /swob/ [From the mnemonic for the PDP-11 `byte swap'
X instruction, as immortalized in the dd(1) option `conv=swab'
X (see {dd})] 1. vt. To solve the {NUXI problem} by swapping
X bytes in a file. 2. n. The program in V7 UNIX used to perform this
X action, or anything functionally equivalent to it. See also
X {big-endian}, {little-endian}, {middle-endian},
X {bytesexual}.
X
Xswap: [from mainstream verb meaning to exchange] vt. To move
X information from a fast-access memory to a slow-access memory
X (`swap out'), or vice versa (`swap in'). This is a
X technical term in computer science, and often specifically refers
X to the use of disks as `virtual memory'. As pieces of data or
X program are needed, they are swapped into main memory for
X processing; when they are no longer needed for the nonce they are
X swapped out again. The jargon use of these terms is as a fairly
X exact analogy referring to people's memories. Cramming for an exam
X might be spoken of as swapping in. If you temporarily forget
X someone's name, but then remember it, your excuse is that it was
X swapped out. To `keep something swapped in' means to keep it
X fresh in your memory: "I reread the TECO manual every few months
X to keep it swapped in." If someone interrupts you just got a good
X idea, you might say, "Wait a moment while I write this down so I
X can swap it out", implying that the piece of paper is your
X secondary memory and if you don't swap the info out by writing it
X down, it will get overwritten and lost as you talk. Compare {page
X in}, {page out}.
X
Xswap space: n. Storage space, especially temporary storage space
X used during a move or reconfiguration. "I'm just using that corner
X of the machine room for swap space".
X
Xswapped: adj. From the older (per-task) method of using secondary
X storage devices to implement support for multitasking. Something
X which is `swapped in' is available for immediate use in main
X memory, and otherwise is `swapped out'. Often used metaphorically
X to refer to people's memories ("I read the Scheme Report every few
X months to keep the information swapped in.") or to their own
X availability ("I'll swap you in as soon as I finish looking at
X this other problem."). Compare {page in}, {page out}.
X
Xswizzle: v. To convert external names or references within a data
X structure into direct pointers when the data structure is brought
X into main memory from external storage; also called `pointer
X swizzling'; the converse operation is sometimes termed
X `unswizzling'.
X
Xsync: /sink/ [UNIX] (var. `synch') n.,vi. 1. [techspeak] To
X force all pending I/O to the disk. 2. More generally, to force a
X number of competing processes or agents to a state that would be
X `safe' if the system were to crash; thus, to checkpoint. See
X {flush}, sense #2.
X
Xsyntactic sugar: [coined by Peter Landin] n. Features added to a
X language or formalism to make it `sweeter' for humans, that do not
X affect the expressiveness of the formalism (compare {chrome}).
X Used esp. when there is an obvious and trivial translation of the
X `sugar' feature into other constructs already present in the
X notation. Example: C's `a[i]' notation is syntactic sugar for
X `*(a + i)'. "Syntactic sugar causes cancer of the
X semicolon." --- Alan Perlis.
X
Xsys-frog: /sis'frog/ [the PLATO system] n. Playful hackish variant
X of `sysprog', which is in turn short for `systems programmer'.
X
Xsysop: /sis'op/ n. [BBS] The operator (and usually owner) of a
X bulletin-board system. A common neophyte mistake on {FidoNet} is
X to address a message to `sysop' in an international {echo}, thus
X sending it to hundreds of sysops world-wide.
X
Xsystem: n. 1. The supervisor program or OS on a computer. 2. The
X entire computer system, including input/output devices, the
X supervisor program or OS, and possibly other software. 3. Any
X large-scale program. 4. Any method or algorithm. 5. The way
X things are usually done. Usage: a fairly ambiguous word. "You
X can't beat the system." 6. `System hacker': one who hacks the
X system (in sense #1 only; for sense #3 one mentions the particular
X program: e.g., `LISP hacker')
X
Xsystem mangler: n. Humorous synonym for `system programmer';
X compare {sys-frog}. Refers specifically to a systems programmer
X in charge of administration, software maintainance, and updates at
X some site. Unlike {admin}, this term emphasizes the technical
X end of the skills involved.
X
X= T =
X=====
X
XT: /tee/ 1. [from LISP terminology for `true'] Yes. Usage: used
X in reply to a question (particularly one asked using the `-P'
X convention). In LISP, the name T means `true', among other things.
X Some hackers use `T' and `NIL' instead of `Yes' and `No' almost
X reflexively. This sometimes causes misunderstandings. When a
X waiter or flight attendant asks whether a hacker wants coffee, he
X may well respond "T", meaning that he wants coffee; but of course
X he will be brought a cup of tea instead. As it happens, most
X hackers like tea at least as well as coffee, particularly those who
X frequent Chinese restaurants, so it's not that big a problem. 2.
X See {time T}. 3. In transaction-processing circles, an
X abbreviation for the noun `transaction'. 4. [Purdue]
X Alternate spelling of {tee}.
X
Xtail recursion: n. If you haven't already, see {tail recursion}.
X
Xtalk mode: n. The state a terminal is in when linked to another via a
X bidirectional character pipe, to support on-line dialogue between
X two or more users. Talk mode has a special set of jargon words,
X used to save typing, which are not used orally. Some of these are
X identical to (and probably derived from) Morse-code jargon used by
X ham-radio amateurs going back to the 1920s.
X
X BCNU Be seeing you.
X BTW By the way... Lower-case also works.
X BYE? Are you ready to unlink? (This is the standard way to
X end a talk mode conversation; the other person types BYE
X to confirm, or else continues the conversation.)
X CUL See you later.
X ENQ? Are you busy? Expects ACK or NAK in return.
X FOO? A greeting, also meaning R U THERE? Often used in the
X case of unexpected links, meaning also "Sorry if I
X butted in..." (linker) or "What's up?" (linkee).
X FYI For your information...
X FYA For your amusement...
X GA Go ahead (used when two people have tried to type
X simultaneously;
X this cedes the right to type to the other).
X GRMBL grumble --- expresses disquiet or disagreement.
X HELLOP A greeting, also meaning R U THERE? (An instance of the
X "-P" convention.)
X JAM Just a minute... Equivalent to SEC...
X NIL No (see {NIL}).
X O Over to you (lower-case works too).
X OO Over and out (lower-case works too).
X / Another form of "Over to you" (from x/y as "x over y")
X OBTW Oh, by the way...
X R U THERE? Are you there?
X SEC Wait a second (sometimes written SEC...).
X T Yes (see the main entry for {T}).
X TNX Thanks.
X TNX 1.0E6 Thanks a million (humorous).
X WRT With Regard To or With Respect To.
X WTF The universal interrogative particle. WTF knows what
X it means?
X WTH What the hell?
X <double CRLF> When the typing party has finished, he types two CRLFs
X to signal that he is done; this leaves a blank line between
X individual "speeches" in the conversation, making it easier to
X re-read the preceding text.
X <name>: When three or more terminals are linked, each speech is
X preceded by the typist's login name and a colon (or a hyphen) to
X indicate who is typing. The login name often is shortened to a
X unique prefix (possibly a single letter) during a very long
X conversation.
X /\/\/\ A giggle or chuckle (rare). On a MUD, this usually means
X `earthquake fault'.
X
X Most of the above sub-jargon is used at both Stanford and MIT.
X Several of these are also common in {email}, esp. FYI, FYA, BTW,
X BCNU, and CUL. A few other abbreviations have been reported from
X commercial networks such as GEnie and CompuServe where on-line
X `live' chat including more than two people is common and usually
X involves a more `social' context, notably
X
X <g> grin
X BBL be back later
X BRB be right back
X HHOJ ha ha only joking
X HHOS {ha ha only serious}
X IMHO in my humble opinion (see {IMHO})
X LOL laughing out loud
X ROTF rolling on the floor
X ROTFL rolling on the floor laughing
X AFK away from keyboard
X b4 before
X CU l8tr see you later
X MORF Male or Female?
X TTFN ta-ta for now
X OIC Oh, I see
X rehi hello again
X
X These are not used at universities or in the UNIX world;
X conversely, most of the people who know these are unfamiliar with
X FOO?, BCNU, HELLOP, {NIL}, and {T}.
X
X The {MUD} community uses a mixture of USENET/Internet emoticons, a
X few of the more natural of the old-style talk mode abbrevs, and
X some of the `social' list above; specifically, MUD respondents
X report use of BBL, BRB, LOL, b4, BTW, WTF, and WTH. The use of
X rehi is also common; in fact, mudders are fond of re- compounds and
X will frequently `rehug' or `rebonk' (see {bonk/oif}) people. The
X word `re' by itself is verbed as `re-greet' In general, though,
X MUDders express a preference for typing things out in full rather
X than using abbreviations; this may be due to the relative youth of
X the MUD cultures, which tend to include many touch typists and
X assume high-speed links. The following uses specific to MUDs are
X reported:
X
X UOK? Are you OK?
X THX Thanks (mutant of TNX)
X CU l8er See you later (mutant of CU l8tr)
X OTT over the top (excessive, uncalled for)
X
X Some {BIFF}isms (notably the variant spelling `d00d') appear to be
X passing into wider use among some subgroups of mudders. See also
X {hakspek}, {emoticon}, {bonk/oif}.
X
Xtalker system: n. British hackerism for software that enables
X real-time chat or {talk mode}.
X
Xtall card: n. A PC/AT-sized expansion card (these can be larger
X than IBM-PC or XT cards because the AT case is bigger). See also
X {short card}.
X
Xtanked: adj. Same as {down}, used primarily by UNIX hackers. See
X also {hosed}. Popularized as a synonym for `drunk' by Steve
X Dallas in the late lamented `Bloom County' comics.
X
Xtar and feather: [from UNIX `tar(1)'] vt. To create a
X transportable archive from a group of files by first sticking them
X together with the Tape ARchiver `tar(1)' and then compressing
X the result (see {compress}). The latter is dubbed `feathering'
X by analogy to what you do with an airplane propeller to decrease
X wind resistance, or with an oar to reduce water resistance; smaller
X files, after all, slip through comm links more easily.
X
Xtaste: [primarily MIT-DMS] n. 1. The quality in programs which
X tends to be inversely proportional to the number of features,
X hacks, and kluges programmed into it. Also, `tasty',
X `tasteful', `tastefulness'. "This feature comes in N
X tasty flavors." Although `tasteful' and `flavorful' are
X essentially synonyms, `taste' and {flavor} are not. Taste
X refers to sound judgement on the part of the creator; a program or
X feature can *exhibit* taste but cannot `have' taste. On
X the other hand, a feature can have {flavor}. Also, {flavor}
X has the additional meaning of `kind' or `variety' not shared by
X `taste'. {flavor} is a more popular word among hackers than
X `taste', though both are used. 2. Alt. sp. of {tayste}.
X
Xtayste: n. Also as {taste}; two bits. Syn. {crumb}, {quarter}.
X Compare {{byte}}, {dynner}, {playte}, {nybble}, {quad}.
X
XTCB: /tee see bee/ [IBM] n. 1. Trouble Came Back. Intermittent or
X difficult-to reproduce problem which has failed to respond to
X neglect. Compare {heisenbug}. Not to be confused with: 2. Trusted
X Computing Base, an `official' jargon term from the {Orange Book}.
X
Xtea, ISO standard cup of: [South Africa] n. A cup of tea with milk
X and one teaspoon of sugar, where the milk was poured into the cup
X before the tea. Variations are ISO 0, with no sugar; ISO 2, with
X two spoons of sugar; and so on.
X
X Note: like many ISO standards, this one has a faintly alien ring in
X North America, wherein hackers generally shun the decadent British
X practice of adulterating perfectly good tea with *dairy
X products* and prefer instead to add a wedge of lemon, if anything.
X If one were feeling extremely silly, one might hypothesize an
X analogous `ANSI standard cup of tea' and wind up with a
X political situation distressingly similar to several that arise in
X much more serious technical contexts. Milk and lemon don't mix
X very well.
X
XTechRef: [MS-DOS] n. The original `IBM PC Technical Reference
X Manual', including the BIOS listing and complete schematics for the
X PC. The only PC documentation in the issue package that's
X considered serious by real hackers.
X
XTECO: /tee'koh/ obs. 1. vt. Originally, to edit using the TECO editor
X in one of its infinite variations (see below); sometimes still used
X to mean `to edit' even when not using TECO! Usage: rare and now
X primarily historical. 2. [originally an acronym for `(paper)
X Tape Editor and COrrector'; later, `Text Editor and
X Corrector'] n. A text editor developed at MIT and modified by
X just about everybody. If all the dialects are included, TECO might
X have been the single most prolific editor in use before {EMACS},
X to which it was directly ancestral. Noted for its powerful
X programming-language-like features and its incredibly hairy syntax.
X It is literally the case that every possible sequence of {{ASCII}}
X characters is a valid, though probably uninteresting, TECO program;
X one common hacker game used to be mentally working out what the
X TECO commands corresponding to human names did. As an example,
X here is a TECO program that takes a list of names like this:
X
X Loser, J. Random
X Quux, The Great
X Dick, Moby
X
X sorts them alphabetically according to last name, and then puts the
X last name last, removing the comma, to produce this:
X
X Moby Dick
X J. Random Loser
X The Great Quux
X
X The program is:
X
X [1 J^P$L$$
X J <.-Z; .,(S,$ -D .)FX1 @F^B $K :L I $ G1 L>$$
X
X (where ^B means `Control-B' (ASCII #b0000010) and $ is actually an
X {ALT} or escape (ASCII #b0011011) character).
X
X In fact, this very program was used to produce the second, sorted
X list from the first list! The first hack at it had a {bug}: GLS
X (the author) had accidentally omitted the `@' in front of
X `F^B', which as anyone can see is clearly the {Wrong Thing}. It
X worked fine the second time. There is no space to describe all the
X features of TECO, but it may be of interest that `^P' means
X `sort' and `J<.-Z; ... L>' is an idiomatic series of commands
X for `do once for every line'.
X
X In mid-1991, TECO is now pretty much one with the dust of history,
X having been replaced in the affections of hackerdom by {EMACS}. It
X can still be found lurking on VMS and a couple of crufty PDP-11
X operating systems, however, and remains the focus of some antiquarian
X interest. See also {write-only language}.
X
Xtee: n.,vt. [Purdue] A carbon copy of an electronic transmission.
X "Oh, you're sending him the {bits} to that? Slap on a tee for
X me." From the UNIX command `tee(1)', itself named after a
X pipe fitting (see {plumbing}, {pipeline}). Can also mean `save
X one for me' as in "Tee a slice for me!". Also spelled `T'.
X
XTelerat: /tel'@-rat/ n. Unflattering hackerism for `Teleray', a
X line of extremely losing terminals. See also {terminak},
X {sun-stools}, {HP-SUX}.
X
XTELNET: /tel'net/ vt. To communicate with another Internet host
SHAR_EOF
true || echo 'restore of jargon.ascii failed'
fi
echo 'End of part 14, continue with part 15'
echo 15 > _shar_seq_.tmp
exit 0