eric@snark.thyrsus.com (Eric S. Raymond) (03/03/91)
Submitted-by: jargon@thyrsus.com
Archive-name: jargon/part08
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X
XGet a real computer!: imp. Typical hacker response to news that
X somebody is having trouble getting work done on a system that (a)
X is single-tasking, (b) has no hard disk, or (c) has an address
X space smaller than 4 megabytes. This is as of mid-1991; note that
X the threshold for `real computer' rises with time, and it may well
X be (for example) that machines with character-only displays will be
X generally considered `unreal' in a few years (GLS points out that
X they already are in some circles). See {essentials}, {bitty
X box} and {toy}.
X
XGFR: /jee eff ar/ vt. [acronym, ITS] From "Grim File Reaper", an
X ITS utility. To remove a file or files according to some
X program-automated or semi-automatic manual procedure, especially
X one designed to reclaim mass storage space or reduce namespace
X clutter. Often generalized to pieces of data below file level.
X "I used to have his phone number but I guess I {GFR}ed it." See
X also {prowler}, {reaper}. Compare {GC}, which discards only
X provably worthless stuff.
X
Xgig: /jig/ or /gig/ n. Short for `gigabyte' (1024 megabytes);
X used in describing amounts of {core} or mass storage. Also
X written `GB'. "My machine just got upgraded to a quarter-gig".
X See also {K} and {kilo-}.
X
Xgiga-: /ji'ga/ or /gi'ga/ pref. Multiplier, 10 ^ 9 or 2 ^ 30. See
X {kilo-}.
X
XGIGO: /gie'goh/ [acronym] 1. Garbage In, Garbage out --- usually said
X in response to {luser}s who complain that a program didn't complain
X about faulty data. Also commonly used to describe failures in
X human decision making due to faulty, incomplete, or imprecise data.
X 2. Garbage In, Gospel Out --- this more recent expansion is a
X sardonic comment on the tendency human beings have to put excessive
X trust in "computerized" data.
X
Xgillion: /jill'y@n/ n. 10 ^ 9. [From {giga-}, following
X construction of mega/million and notional tera/trillion] Same as an
X American billion or a British `milliard'.
X
XGIPS: [analogy with MIPS] n. Gillons of Instructions per Second.
X In 1991 this rather silly acronym is used of only a handful of
X highly parallel machines, but this is expected to change.
X
Xglark: /glark/ vt. To figure something out from context. "The
X System III manuals are pretty poor, but you can generally glark the
X meaning from context." Interestingly, the word was originally
X `glork'; the context was: "This gubblick contains many nonsklarkish
X English flutzpahs, but the overall pluggandisp can be glorked [sic]
X from context", by David Moser, quoted by Douglas Hofstadter in his
X `Metamagical Themas' column in the January 1981 Scientific
X American. It is conjectured that hackish usage mutated the verb to
X `glark' because {glork} was already an established jargon term.
X
Xglass: [IBM] n. Synonym for {silicon}.
X
Xglass tty: /glas tee-tee-wie/ or /glas ti'tee/ n. A terminal which
X has a display screen but which, because of hardware or software
X limitations, behaves like a teletype or other printing terminal,
X thereby combining the disadvantages of both: like a printing
X terminal, it can't do fancy display hacks, and like a display
X terminal, it doesn't produce hard copy. An example is the early
X `dumb' version of Lear-Siegler ADM-3 (without cursor control). See
X {tube}, {tty}. See Appendix A for an interesting true story
X about a glass tty.
X
Xglassfet: /glas'fet/ [by analogy with MOSFET the acronym for
X Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect-Transistor] n. Syn.
X {firebottle}, a humorous way to refer to a vacuum tube.
X
Xglitch: /glich/ [from German `glitschen' to slip, via Yiddish
X `glitshen', to slide or skid] 1. n. A sudden interruption in
X electric service, sanity, continuity, or program function.
X Sometimes recoverable. An interruption in electric service is
X specifically called a `power glitch'. This is of grave concern
X because it usually crashes all the computers. More common in
X jargon, though, a hacker who got to the middle of a sentence and
X then forgot how he or she intended to complete it might say,
X "Sorry, I just glitched". 2. vi. To commit a glitch. See
X {gritch}. 3. vt. [Stanford] To scroll a display screen several
X lines at a time. This derives from some oddities in the terminal
X behavior under {WAITS}. 4. obs. Same as {magic cookie},
X sense #2.
X
X All these uses of `glitch' derive from the specific technical
X meaning the term has to hardware people. If the inputs of a
X circuit change, and the outputs are supposed to change to some new
X value, and they change to some random value for some very brief
X time before they settle down to the correct value, then that is
X called a glitch. This may or may not be harmful, depending on what
X the circuit is connected to. This term is found in electronic
X texts.
X
Xglob: /glob/, *not* /glohb/ [UNIX] vt.,n. To expand special
X characters in a wildcarded name, or the act of so doing (the action
X is also called `globbing'). The UNIX conventions for filename
X wildcarding have become sufficiently pervasive that many hackers
X use some of them in written English, especially in email or news on
X technical topics. Those commonly encountered include:
X
X * wildcard for any string (see also {UN*X}).
X ? wildcard for any character (generally only read this way
X at the beginning or in the middle of a word).
X [] delimits a wildcard matching any of the enclosed characters.
X {} alternation of comma-separated alternatives. Thus,
X `foo{baz,qux}' would be read as `foobaz' or `fooqux'.
X
X Some examples: "He said his name was [KC]arl" (expresses
X ambiguity). "That got posted to talk.politics.*" (all the
X talk.politics subgroups on {USENET}). Other examples are given
X under the entry for {X}. Compare {regexp}.
X
X Historical note: the jargon usage derives from `glob', the
X name of a subprogram that expanded wildcards in archaic Bourne
X Shell versions; this was necessary because early UNIX machines had
X so little memory
X
Xglork: /glork/ 1. interj. Term of mild surprise, usually tinged with
X outrage, as when one attempts to save the results of two hours of
X editing and finds that the system has just crashed. 2. Used as a
X name for just about anything. See {foo}. 3. vt. Similar to
X {glitch}, but usually used reflexively. "My program just glorked
X itself."
X
Xglue: n. Generic term for any interface logic or protocol that
X connects between two component blocks. For example, the {Blue
X Glue} is IBM's SNA protocol, and hardware designers call anything
X used to connect large VLSI's or circuit blocks "glue logic".
X
Xgnarly: adj. Both {obscure} and {hairy} in the sense of complex.
X "Yeech --- the tuned assembler implementation of BitBlt is really
X gnarly!" From a similar but less specific usage in surfer slang.
X
XGNU: /gnoo/, *not* /noo/ 1. ["GNU's Not UNIX!", see
X {{recursive acronyms}}] A UNIX-workalike development effort of the
X Free Software Foundation headed by Richard Stallman
X (rms@mole.ai.mit.edu). GNU EMACS and the GNU C compiler, two
X tools designed for this project, have become very popular in
X hackerdom and elsewhere. The GNU project was designed partly to
X proselytize for RMS's position that information is community
X property and all software source should be shared. One of its
X slogans is "Help stamp out software hoarding!" Though this
X remains controversial (because it implicitly denies any right of
X designers to own, assign, and sell the results of their labors),
X many hackers who disagree with him have nevertheless cooperated to
X produce large amounts of high-quality software available for free
X redistribution under the Free Software Foundation imprimatur. See
X {EMACS}, {copyleft}, {General Public Virus}. 2. Noted UNIX
X hacker John Gilmore (gnu@toad.com), founder of USENET's anarchic
X alt.* hierarchy.
X
XGNUMACS: /gnoo'maks/ [contraction of `GNU EMACS'] Often-heard
X abbreviated name for the {GNU} project's flagship tool, {EMACS}.
X Used esp. in contrast with {GOSMACS}.
X
Xgo flatline: [from cyberpunk SF, refers to flattening of EEG traces
X upon brain-death] vi., also adjectival `flatlined'. 1. To die,
X terminate, or fail, esp. irreversibly. In hacker parlance, this is
X used of machines only, human death being considered somewhat too
X serious a matter to employ jargon-jokes about. 2. To go completely
X quiescent; said of machines undergoing controlled shutdown. "You
X can suffer file damage if you shut down UNIX but power off before
X the system has gone flatline." 3. Of a video tube, to fail by
X losing vertical scan, so all one sees is a bright horizontal line
X bisecting the screen.
X
Xgobble: vt. To consume or to obtain. The phrase `gobble up' tends to
X imply `consume', while `gobble down' tends to imply `obtain'.
X "The output spy gobbles characters out of a {tty} output buffer."
X "I guess I'll gobble down a copy of the documentation tomorrow."
X See also {snarf}.
X
Xgolden: adj. [perh. from folklore's `golden egg'] When used to
X describe a magnetic medium (e.g. `golden disk', `golden tape'),
X describes one containing a tested, up-to-spec, ready-to-ship
X software version. Compare {platinum-iridium}.
X
Xgolf-ball printer: n. A slow but letter-quality printing device
X and terminal (the IBM 2741) based on the IBM Selectric typewriter.
X The `golf ball' was a round object bearing mirror-image embossed
X images of 88 different characters (arranged on four lines of
X latitude); one could change the font by swapping in a different
X golf ball. This was the technology that enabled APL to use a
X non-ASCII (and in fact completely non-standard) character set; this
X put it ten years ahead of its time---where it stayed, firmly
X rooted, for the next twenty, until ASCII-based character displays
X gave way to programmable bit-mapped displays with the flexibility
X to support other character sets.
X
Xgonk: /gonk/ vt.,n. 1. To prevaricate or to embellish the truth
X beyond any reasonable recognition. It is alleged that in German
X the term is (fictively) `gonken', in Spanish the verb becomes
X `gonkar'. "You're gonking me. That story you just told me is a
X bunch of gonk." In German, for example, "Du gonkst mir" (You're
X pulling my leg). See also {gonkulator}. 2. [British] To grab some
X sleep at an odd time; compare {gronk} (sense #4).
X
Xgonkulator: /gon'kyoo-lay-tr/ [from the old `Hogan's Heroes' TV
X series] n. A pretentious piece of equipment that actually serves no
X useful purpose. Usually used to describe one's least favorite
X piece of computer hardware. See {gonk}.
X
Xgonzo: /gon'zo/ [from Hunter S. Thompson] adj. Overwhelming;
X outrageous; over the top; very large, esp. used of collections of
X source code, source files or individual functions. Has some of the
X connotations of {moby} and {hairy}.
X
XGood Thing: n.,adj. Often capitalized; always pronounced as if
X capitalized. 1. Self-evidently wonderful to anyone in a position
X to notice: "The Trailblazer's 19.2Kbaud PEP mode with on-the-fly
X Lempel-Ziv compression is a Good Thing for sites relaying
X netnews." 2. Something that can't possibly have any ill
X side-effects and may save considerable grief later: "Removing the
X self-modifying code from that shared library would be a Good
X Thing." 3. When said of software tools or libraries, as in "YACC
X is a Good Thing", specifically connotes that the thing has
X drastically reduced a programmer's work load. Oppose {Bad
X Thing}.
X
Xgorilla arm: n. The side-effect that destroyed touch-screens as a
X mainstream input technology despite a promising start in the early
X eighties. It seems the designers of all those {spiffy}
X touch-menu systems failed to notice that humans aren't designed to
X hold their arms in front of their faces making small motions.
X After more than a very few selections, the arm begins to feel sore,
X cramped, and oversized, hence `gorilla arm'. This is now
X considered a classic cautionary tale to human-factors designers;
X "Remember the gorilla arm!" is shorthand for "How's this gonna
X fly in *real* use?".
X
Xgorp: /gorp/ [CMU, perhaps from the canonical hiker's food, Good
X Old Raisins and Peanuts] Another metasyntactic variable, like
X {foo} and {bar}.
X
XGOSMACS: /goz'maks/ [contraction of `Gosling EMACS'] n. The first
X {EMACS}-in-C implementation, predating but now largely eclipsed by
X {GNUMACS}. Originally freeware; a commercial version is now
X modestly popular as `UniPress EMACS'. The author (James Gosling)
X went on to invent {NeWS}.
X
XGosperism: /gos'p@r-iz-m/ A hack, invention, or saying by
X arch-hacker R. William (Bill) Gosper. This notion merits its own
X term because there are so many of them. Many of the entries in
X {HAKMEM} are Gosperisms; see also {life}.
X
Xgotcha: n. A {misfeature} of a system, especially a programming
X language or environment, that tends to breed bugs or mistakes
X because it behaves in an unexpected way. For example, a classic
X gotcha in {C} is the fact that `if (a=b) {code;}' is
X syntactically valid and sometimes even correct. It puts the value
X of b into a and then executes `code' if a is non-zero. What
X the programmer probably meant was `if (a==b) {code;}' which
X executes `code' if a and b are equal.
X
XGPL: n. Abbrev. for `General Public License' in widespread use; see
X {copyleft}.
X
XGPV: n. Abbrev. for {General Public Virus} in widespread use.
X
Xgrault: /grawlt/ n. Yet another meta-syntactic variable, invented by
X Mike Gallaher and propagated by the {GOSMACS} documentation. See
X {corge}.
X
Xgray goo: n. A hypothetical substance composed of {sagan}s of
X sub-micron-sized self-replicating robots programmed to make copies
X of themselves out of whatever is available. The image that goes
X with the term is one of the entire biosphere of Earth being
X eventually converted to robot goo. This is the simplest of the
X {{nanotechnology}} disaster scenarios, easily refuted by arguments
X from energy requirements and elemental abundances. Compare {blue
X goo}.
X
XGreat Renaming: n. The {flag day} on which all of the groups on the
X {USENET} had their names changed from the net.- format to the
X current multiple-hierarchies scheme.
X
XGreat Runes: n. Uppercase-only text or display messages. Some
X archaic operating systems still emit these. See also {runes},
X {smash case}, {fold case}.
X
Xgreat-wall: [from SF fandom] vi.,n. A mass expedition to an
X Oriental restaurant, esp. one where food is served family-style
X and shared. There is a common heuristic about the amount of food
X to order, expressed as "Get N - 1 entrees"; the value of
X N, which is the number of people in the group, can be inferred from
X context (see {N}). See {{Oriental Food}}, {ravs},
X {stir-fried random}.
X
XGreen Book: n. 1. One of the three standard PostScript references
X (`PostScript Language Program Design', Adobe Systems,
X Addison-Wesley 1988, QA76.73.P67P66 ISBN 0-201-14396-8); see also
X {Red Book}, {Blue Book}). 2. Informal name for one of the three
X standard references on SmallTalk: `Smalltalk-80: Bits of
X History, Words of Advice', Glenn Krasner, Addison-Wesley 1983,
X QA76.8.S635S58, ISBN 0-201-11669-3 (this, too, is associated with
X blue and red books). 3. The `X/Open Compatibility Guide'.
X Defines an international standard {UNIX} environment that is a
X proper superset of POSIX/SVID; also includes descriptions of a
X standard utility toolkit, systems administrations features, and the
X like. This grimoire is taken with particular seriousness in
X Europe. See {Purple Book}. 4. The IEEE 1003.1 POSIX Operating
X Systems Interface standard has been dubbed "The Ugly Green Book".
X 5. Any of the 1992 standards which will be issued by the CCITT 10th
X plenary assembly. Until now, these have changed color each review
X cycle (1984 was {Red Book}, 1988 {Blue Book}); however, it is
X rumored that this convention is going to be dropped before 1992.
X These include, among other things, the X.400 email spec and the
X Group 1 through 4 fax standards. See also {{book titles}}.
X
Xgreen bytes: n. 1. Meta-information embedded in a file such as the
X length of the file or its name; as opposed to keeping such
X information in a separate description file or record. The term
X comes from an IBM user's group meeting c.1962 where these two
X approaches were being debated and the diagram of the file on the
X blackboard had the `green bytes' drawn in green. 2. By extension,
X the non-data bits in any self-describing format. "A GIF file
X contains, among other things, green bytes describing the packing
X method for the image."
X
Xgreen card: n. [after the `IBM System/360 Reference Data'
X card] This is used for any summary of an assembly language, even if
X the color is not green. Less frequently used now because of the
X decrease in the use of assembly language. "I'll go get my green
X card so I can check the addressing mode for that instruction."
X Some green cards are actually booklets.
X
X The original green card became a yellow card when the System/370
X was introduced, and later a yellow booklet. An anecdote from IBM
X refers to a scene that took place in a programmers' terminal room
X at Yorktown in 1978. A luser overheard one of the programmers ask
X another "Do you have a green card?" The other grunted and
X passed the first a thick yellow booklet. At this point the luser
X turned a delicate shade of olive and rapidly left the room, never
X to return. See also {card}.
X
Xgreen lightning: [IBM] n. 1. Apparently random flashing streaks on
X the face of 3278-9 terminals while a new symbol set is being
X downloaded. This hardware bug was left deliberately unfixed, as
X some genius within IBM suggested it would let the user know that
X `something is happening'. That, it certainly does. Later
X microprocessor-driven IBM color graphics displays were actually
X *programmed* to produce green lightning! 2. [proposed] Any
X bug perverted into an alleged feature by adroit rationalization or
X marketing. E.g., "Motorola calls the CISC cruft in the 88000
X architecture `compatibility logic', but I call it green
X lightning". See also {feature}.
X
Xgreen machine: n. A computer or peripheral device that has been
X designed and built to military specifications for field equipment
X (that is, to withstand mechanical shock, extremes of temperature
X and humidity, and so forth). Comes from the olive-drab `uniform'
X paint used for military equipment.
X
Xgrep: /grep/ [from the qed/ed editor idiom g/re/p , where
X re stands for a regular expression, to Globally search for the
X Regular Expression and Print the lines containing matches to it,
X via {UNIX} `grep(1)'] vt. To rapidly scan a file or file set
X looking for a particular string or pattern. By extension, to look
X for something by pattern. "Grep the bulletin board for the system
X backup schedule, would you?" See also {vgrep}.
X
Xgrind: vt. 1. [MIT and Berkeley] To format code, especially LISP
X code, by indenting lines so that it looks pretty. This usage was
X associated with the MacLISP community and is now rare;
X {prettyprint} was and is the generic term for such operations.
X 2. [UNIX] To generate the formatted version of a document from the
X nroff, troff, TeX, or Scribe source. The BSD program
X `vgrind(1)' grinds code for printing on a Versatec bitmapped
X printer. 3. To run seemingly interminably, esp. (but not
X necessarily) if performing some tedious and inherently useless
X task. Similar to {crunch} or {grovel}. Grinding has a
X connotation of using a lot of CPU time, but it is possible to grind
X a disk, network, etc. See also {hog}. 4. To make the whole
X system slow, e.g. "Troff really grinds a PDP-11". 5. `grind
X grind' excl. Roughly, "Isn't the machine slow today!"
X
Xgrind crank: n. A mythical accessory to a terminal. A crank on the
X side of a monitor, which when operated makes a zizzing noise and
X causes the computer to run faster. Usually one does not refer to a
X grind crank out loud, but merely makes the appropriate gesture and
X noise. See {grind}, and {wugga wugga}.
X
X Historical note: At least one real machine actually had a grind
X crank --- the R1, a research machine built towards the the end of
X the days of the great vacuum tube computers in 1959. R1 (also
X known as `The Rice Institute Computer' (TRIC) and later as `The
X Rice University Computer' (TRUC)) had a single-step/free-run switch
X for use when debugging programs. Since single-stepping through a
X large program was rather tedious, there was also a crank with a cam
X and gear arrangement that repeatedly pushed the single-step button.
X This allowed one to `crank' through a lot of code, then slow down
X to single-step a bit when you got near the code of interest, poke
X at some registers using the console typewriter, and then keep on
X cranking.
X
Xgritch: /grich/ 1. n. A complaint (often caused by a {glitch}). 2.
X vi. To complain. Often verb-doubled: "Gritch gritch". 3. A
X synonym for {glitch} (as verb or noun).
X
Xgrok: /grok/ [from the novel `Stranger in a Strange Land', by
X Robert Heinlein, where it is a Martian word meaning literally
X `to drink' and metaphorically `to be one with'] vt. 1. To
X understand, usually in a global sense. Connotes intimate and
X exhaustive knowledge. Contrast {zen}, similar supernal
X understanding as a single brief flash. 2. Used of programs, may
X connote merely sufficient understanding, e.g., "Almost all C
X compilers grok void these days."
X
Xgronk: /gronk/ [popularized by the comic strip `B.C.' by Johnny
X Hart, but the word apparently predates that] vt. 1. To clear the
X state of a wedged device and restart it. More severe than "to
X {frob}". 2. To break. "The teletype scanner was gronked,
X so we took the system down." 3. `gronked': adj. Of people, the
X condition of feeling very tired or sick. Oppose {broken}, which
X means about the same as {gronk} used of hardware but connotes
X depression or mental/emotional problems in people. 4. `gronk out':
X vi. To cease functioning. Of people, to go home and go to sleep.
X "I guess I'll gronk out now; see you all tomorrow." 5. The sound
X made by many 3.5" diskette drives. In particular, the floppies on
X a Commodore Amiga go "grink, gronk".
X
Xgrovel: vi. 1. To work interminably and without apparent progress.
X Often used transitively with `over' or `through'. "The file
X scavenger has been grovelling through the file directories for ten
X minutes now." Compare {grind} and {crunch}. Emphatic form:
X `grovel obscenely'. 2. To examine minutely or in complete detail.
X "The compiler grovels over the entire source program before
X beginning to translate it." "I grovelled through all the
X documentation, but I still couldn't find the command I wanted."
X
Xgrunge: /gruhnj/ n. 1. That which is grungy, or that which
X makes it so. 2. [Cambridge] Code which is `dead' (can never be
X accessed) due to changes in other parts of the program. The
X preferred term in North America is {dead code}.
X
Xgubbish: /guh'bish/ [a portmanteau of "garbage" and "rubbish"?]
X n. Garbage; crap; nonsense. "What is all this gubbish?" The
X opposite portmanteau "rubbage" is also reported.
X
Xguiltware: n. 1. {freeware} decorated with a message telling one how
X long and hard the author worked on this program and intimating that
X one is a no-good freeloader if one does not immediately send the
X poor suffering martyr gobs of money. 2. {Shareware} that works.
X
Xgumby: /guhm'bee/ [from a class of Monty Python characters, poss.
X themselves named after the 1960s claymation character] n. An act of
X minor but conspicuous stupidity, often in `gumby maneuver' or
X `pull a gumby'.
X
Xgun: [from the :GUN command on ITS] vt. To forcibly terminate a
X program or job (computer, not career). "Some idiot left a
X background process running soaking up half the cycles, so I gunned
X it." Compare {can}.
X
Xgurfle: /ger'fl/ interj. An expression of shocked disbelief. "He
X said we have to recode this thing in FORTRAN by next week.
X Gurfle!" Compare {weeble}.
X
Xguru: n. 1. [UNIX] An expert. Implies not only {wizard} skill but a
X history of being a knowledge resource for others. Less often, used
X (with a qualifier) for other experts on other systems, as in `VMS
X guru'. 2. Amiga equivalent of "panic" in UNIX. When the system
X crashes, a cryptic message "GURU MEDITATION #XXXXXXXX.YYYYYYYY"
X appears, indicating what the problem was. An Amiga guru can figure
X things out from the numbers. Generally a {guru} event must be
X followed by a {vulcan nerve pinch}.
X
X= H =
X=====
X
Xh: [from SF fandom] infix. A method of `marking' common words,
X i.e. calling attention to the fact that they are being used in a
X nonstandard, ironic, or humorous way. Orig. in the fannish
X catchphrase "Bheer is the One True Ghod!" from decades ago.
X H-infix marking of `Ghod' and other words spread into the Sixties
X counterculture via underground comix, and into early hackerdom
X either from the counterculture or SF fandom (all three overlapped
X heavily at the time). More recently, the h infix has become an
X expected feature of benchmark names, e.g. Whetstone, Dhrystone,
X Rhealstone, etc.; this is prob. patterning on the original
X Whetstone name but influenced by the fannish/counterculture H
X infix.
X
Xha ha only serious: [from SF fandom, orig. as mutation of HHOK,
X "Ha Ha Only Kidding"] A phrase that aptly captures the flavor of
X much hacker discourse (often seen abbreviated as HHOS). Applied
X especially to parodies, absurdities, and ironic jokes that are both
X intended and perceived to contain a possibly disquieting amount of
X truth, or truths which are constructed on in-joke and self-parody.
X This lexicon contains many examples of ha-ha-only-serious in
X both form and content. Indeed, the entirety of hacker culture is
X often perceived as ha-ha-only-serious by hackers themselves; to
X take it either too lightly or too seriously marks a person as an
X outsider, a {wannabee}, or in {larval stage}. For further
X enlightenment on this subject, consult any Zen master. See also
X {{Humor, Hacker}} and {AI koans}.
X
Xhack: 1. n. Originally a quick job that produces what is needed,
X but not well. 2. n. An incredibly good, and perhaps very
X time-consuming, piece of work that produces exactly what is needed.
X 3. vt. To bear emotionally or physically. "I can't hack this
X heat!" 4. vt. To work on something (typically a program). In
X specific sense: "What are you doing?" "I'm hacking TECO." In
X general sense: "What do you do around here?" "I hack TECO."
X (The former is time-immediate, the latter time-extended.) More
X generally, "I hack `foo'" is roughly equivalent to
X "`foo' is my major interest (or project)". "I hack
X solid-state physics." 5. vt. To pull a prank on. See
X definition 3 and {hacker} (sense #6). 6. vi. To interact with
X a computer in a playful and exploratory, rather than goal-directed
X way. "Whatcha up to?" "Oh, just hacking." 7. n. Short for
X {hacker}, which see. 8. [UNIX] n. A dungeon game similar to
X {rogue} but more elaborate, distributed in C source over
X {USENET} and very popular at UNIX sites and on PC-class machines.
X Recent versions are called `nethack'.
X
X Constructions on this term abound. They include: `happy
X hacking', a farewell; `how's hacking?', a friendly greeting
X among hackers; and `hack hack', a fairly content-free but
X friendly comment, often used as a temporary farewell. For more on
X the meaning of {hack} see Appendix A. See also {neat hack},
X {real hack}.
X
Xhack attack: [poss. by analogy with `Big Mac Attack'; the variant
X `big hack attack' is reported] n. Nearly synonymous with
X {hacking run}, though the latter more strongly implies an
X all-nighter.
X
Xhack mode: n. 1. What one is in when hacking, of course. 2.
X More specifically, a Zen-like state of total focus on The Problem
X which may be achieved when one is hacking (this is why every good
X hacker is part mystic). Ability to enter such concentration at
X will correlates strongly with wizardliness; it is one of the most
X important skills learned during {larval stage}. Sometimes
X amplified as `deep hack mode'.
X
X Being yanked out of hack mode (see {priority interrupt}) may be
X experienced as an physical shock, and the sensation of being in it
X is more than a little habituating. The intensity of this
X experience is probably by itself sufficient explanation for the
X existence of hackers, and explains why many resist being promoted
X out of positions where they can code. See also {cyberspace}
X (sense #2).
X
X Some aspects of hackish etiquette will appear quite odd to an
X observer unaware of the high value placed on hack mode. For
X example, if someone appears at your door, it is perfectly okay to
X hold up a hand (without turning one's eyes away from the screen) to
X avoid being interrupted. One may read, type, and interact with the
X computer for quite some time before further acknowledging the
X other's presence (of course, he or she is reciprocally free to
X leave without a word). The understanding is that you might be in
X {hack mode} with a lot of delicate {state} (sense #2) in your
X head, and you dare not {swap} that context out until you have
X reached a good point to pause.
X
Xhack on: vt. To {hack}; implies that the subject is some
X pre-existing hunk of code that one is evolving, as opposed to
X something one might {hack up}.
X
Xhack together: vt. To throw something together so it will work.
X Unlike `kluge together' or {cruft together}, this does not
X necessarily have negative connotations.
X
Xhack up: vt. To {hack}, but generally implies that the result is
X a hack in sense #1 (a quick hack). Contrast this with {hack on}.
X To `hack up on' implies a quick and dirty modification to an
X existing system. Contrast {hacked up}; compare {kluge up},
X {monkey up}, {cruft together}.
X
Xhack value: n. Often adduced as the reason or motivation for
X expending effort toward a seemingly useless goal, the point being
X that the accomplished goal is a hack. For example, MacLISP had
X features for reading and printing Roman numerals, which were
X installed purely for hack value. This cannot be explained. As a
X great artist once said of jazz, if you hafta ask, you ain't never
X goin' to find out.
X
Xhack-and-slay: v. (also `hack-and-slash') 1. To play a {MUD}
X or go mudding, especially with the intention of {berserking} for
X pleasure. 2. To undertake an all-night programming/hacking
X session, interspersed with stints of mudding as a change of pace.
X This term arose on the British academic network amongst students
X who worked nights and logged onto Essex University's MUDs during
X public-access hours (2 am to 7 am). Usually more mudding than
X work was done in these sessions.
X
Xhacked off: [analogous with `pissed-off'] adj. Said of system
X administrators who have become annoyed, upset, or touchy due to
X suspicions that their sites have been or are going to be victimized
X by crackers, or used for inappropriate, technically illegal, or
X even overtly criminal activities. For example, having unreadable
X files in your home directory called `worm', `lockpick', or `goroot'
X would probably be an effective (as well as impressively obvious and
X stupid) way to get your sysadmin hacked off at you.
X
Xhacked up: adj. Sufficiently patched, kluged, and tweaked that the
X surgical scars are beginning to crowd out normal tissue (compare
X {critical mass}). Note that not all programs which are hacked
X become `hacked up'; if modifications are done with some eye to
X coherence and continued maintainability, the software may emerge
X better for the experience. Contrast {hack up}.
X
Xhacker: [originally, someone who makes furniture with an axe] n.
X 1. A person who enjoys exploring the details of programmable
X systems and how to stretch their capabilities, as opposed to most
X users who prefer to learn only the minimum necessary. 2. One who
X programs enthusiastically (even obsessively), or who enjoys
X programming rather than just theorizing about programming. 3. A
X person capable of appreciating {hack value}. 4. A person who
X is good at programming quickly. 5. An expert at a particular
X program, or one who frequently does work using it or on it; as in
X `a UNIX hacker'. (Definitions 1 to 5 are correlated, and people
X who fit them congregate.) 6. An expert of any kind. One might
X be an astronomy hacker, for example. 7. One who enjoys the
X intellectual challenge of creatively overcoming or circumventing
X limitations. 8. (deprecated) A malicious meddler who tries to
X discover sensitive information by poking around. Hence
X `password hacker', `network hacker'. See {cracker}.
X
Xhacking run: [analogy with `bombing run' or `speed run'] n. A
X hack session extended long outside normal working times, especially
X one longer than 12 hours. May cause you to `change phase the hard
X way' (see {phase}).
X
XHacking X for Y: [ITS] n. The information ITS made publically
X available about each user (the INQUIR record) was a sort of form in
X which the user could fill out fields. On display, two of these
X fields were combined into a project description of the form
X "Hacking X for Y" (e.g., `"Hacking perceptrons for
X Minsky"'). This form of description became traditional and has
X since been carried over to other systems with more general
X facilities for self-advertisement (such as UNIX {plan file}s).
X
Xhackish: /hak'ish/ adj. (also {hackishness} n.) 1. Said of
X something which is or involves a hack. 2. Of or pertaining to
X hackers or the hacker subculture. See also {true-hacker}. It is
X better to be described as hackish by others than to describe
X oneself that way. Hackers consider themselves something of an
X elite, though one to which new members are gladly welcome. It is a
X meritocracy based on ability. There is a certain self-satisfaction
X in identifying yourself as a hacker (but if you claim to be one and
X are not, you'll quickly be labelled {bogus}).
X
Xhackishness: n. The quality of being or involving a hack. See
X {hackitude}.
X
Xhackitude: n. Syn. {hackishness}; this word is considered silly.
X
Xhair: [back-formation from {hairy}] n. The complications that
X make something hairy. "Decoding {TECO} commands requires a
X certain amount of hair." Often seen in the phrase `infinite
X hair', which connotes extreme complexity. Also in `hairiferous'
X (tending to promote hair growth): "GNUMACS Elisp encourages lusers
X to write complex editing modes." "Yeah, it's pretty hairiferous
X all right." (or just: "Hair squared!")
X
Xhairy: adj. 1. Annoyingly complicated. "{DWIM} is incredibly
X hairy." 2. Incomprehensible. "{DWIM} is incredibly hairy."
X 3. Of people, high-powered, authoritative, rare, expert, and/or
X incomprehensible. Hard to explain except in context: "He knows
X this hairy lawyer who says there's nothing to worry about." See
X also {hirsute}.
X
XHAKMEM: /hak'mem/ n. MIT AI Memo 239 (February 1972). A legendary
X collection of neat mathematical and programming hacks contributed
X by many people at MIT and elsewhere. (The title of the memo really
X is "HAKMEM", which is a six-letterism for `hacks memo'.) Some of
X them are very useful techniques, powerful theorems, or interesting
X unsolved problems, but most fall into the category of mathematical
X and computer trivia. A sampling of the entries (with authors),
X slightly paraphrased:
X
X Item 41 (Gene Salamin): There are exactly 23,000 prime numbers less
X than 2 ^ 18.
X
X Item 46 (Rich Schroeppel): The most *probable* suit
X distribution in bridge hands is 4-4-3-2, as compared to 4-3-3-3,
X which is the most *evenly* distributed. This is because the
X world likes to have unequal numbers: a thermodynamic effect saying
X things will not be in the state of lowest energy, but in the state
X of lowest disordered energy.
X
X Item 81 (Rich Schroeppel): Count the magic squares of order 5
X (that is, all the 5-by-5 arrangements of the numbers from 1 to 25
X such that all rows, columns, and diagonals add up to the same
X number). There are about 320 million, not counting those that
X differ only by rotation and reflection.
X
X Item 154 (Gosper): The myth that any given programming language is
X machine independent is easily exploded by computing the sum of
X powers of 2. If the result loops with period = 1 with sign +, you
X are on a sign-magnitude machine. If the result loops with period =
X 1 at -1, you are on a twos-complement machine. If the result loops
X with period greater than 1, including the beginning, you are on a
X ones-complement machine. If the result loops with period greater
X than 1, not including the beginning, your machine isn't
X binary---the pattern should tell you the base. If you run out of
X memory, you are on a string or bignum system. If arithmetic
X overflow is a fatal error, some fascist pig with a read-only mind
X is trying to enforce machine independence. But the very ability to
X trap overflow is machine dependent. By this strategy, consider the
X universe, or, more precisely, algebra: Let X = the sum of many
X powers of two = ...111111 Now add X to itself: X + X = ...111110
X Thus, 2X = X - 1, so X = -1. Therefore algebra is run on a machine
X (the universe) that is two's-complement.
X
X Item 174 (Bill Gosper and Stuart Nelson): 21963283741 is the only
X number such that if you represent it on the {PDP-10} as both an
X integer and a floating-point number, the bit patterns of the two
X representations are identical.
X
X Item 176 (Gosper): The "banana phenomenon" was encountered when
X processing a character string by taking the last 3 letters typed
X out, searching for a random occurrence of that sequence in the
X text, taking the letter following that occurrence, typing it out,
X and iterating. This ensures that every 4-letter string output
X occurs in the original. The program typed BANANANANANANANA.... We
X note an ambiguity in the phrase, "the Nth occurrence of." In one
X sense, there are five 00's in 0000000000; in another, there are
X nine. The editing program TECO finds five. Thus it finds only the
X first ANA in BANANA, and is thus obligated to type N next. By
X Murphy's Law, there is but one NAN, thus forcing A, and thus a
X loop. An option to find overlapped instances would be useful,
X although it would require backing up N-1 characters before seeking
X the next N character string.
X
X HAKMEM also contains some rather more complicated mathematical and
X technical items, but these examples show some of its fun flavor.
X
Xhakspek: /hak'speek/ n. Generally used term to describe a method of
X spelling to be found on many British academic bulletin boards and
X {talker system}s. Syllables and whole words in a sentence are
X replaced by single ASCII characters the names of which are
X phonetically similar or equivalent, whilst multiple letters are
X usually dropped. Hence, `for' becomes `4'; `two', `too', and `to'
X become `2'; `ck' becomes `k'. "Before I see you tomorrow"
X becomes "b4 i c u 2moro". First appeared in London about 1986,
X and was probably caused by the slow speed of available talker
X systems, which operated on archaic machines with outdated operating
X systems, and no standard methods of communication. Has become
X rarer nowadays. See also {talk mode}.
X
Xhamster: n. A particularly slick little piece of code that does one
X thing well; a small, self-contained hack. The image is of a
X hamster happily spinning its exercise wheel.
X
Xhand-hacking: n. 1. The practice of translating {hot spot}s
X from an {HLL} into hand-tuned assembler, as opposed to trying to
X coerce the compiler into generating better code. Both the term and
X the practice are becoming uncommon. See {tune}, {bum}; syn.
X with v. {cruft}. 2. More generally, manual construction or
X patching of data sets that would normally be generated by a
X translation utility and interpreted by another program, and aren't
X really designed to be read or modified by humans.
X
Xhandshaking: n. Hardware or software activity designed to start or
X keep two machines or programs in synchronization as they {do
X protocol}. Often applied to human activity; thus, a hacker might
X watch two people in conversation nodding their heads to indicate
X that they've heard each others' points and say "Oh, they're
X handshaking!". See also {protocol}.
X
Xhandwave: [poss. from gestures characteristic of stage magicians]
X 1. v. To gloss over a complex point; to distract a listener; to
X support a (possibly actually valid) point with blatantly faulty
X logic. 2. n. The act of handwaving. "Boy, what a handwave!"
X
X If someone starts a sentence with "Clearly..." or
X "Obviously..." or "It is self-evident that...", it is
X a good bet he is about to handwave (alternatively, use of these
X constructions in a sarcastic tone before a paraphrase of someone
X else's argument suggests that it is a handwave). The theory behind
X this term is that if you wave your hands at the right moment, the
X listener may be sufficiently distracted to not notice that what you
X have said is {bogus}. Failing that, if a listener does object,
X you might try to dismiss the objection with a wave of your hand.
X
X The use of this word is often accompanied by gestures: both hands
X up, palms forward, swinging the hands in a vertical plane pivoting
X at the elbows and/or shoulders (depending on the magnitude of the
X handwave); alternatively, holding the forearms in one position
X while rotating the hands at the wrist to make them flutter. In
X context, the gestures alone can suffice as a remark; if a speaker
X makes an outrageously unsupported assumption, you might simply wave
X your hands in this way, as an accusation, far more eloquent than
X words could express, that his logic is faulty.
X
Xhang: v. 1. More commonly, to wait for an event that will never
X occur. "The system is hanging because it can't read from the
X crashed drive". See {wedged}, {hung}. 2. To wait for some
X event to occur; to hang around until something happens. "The
X program displays a menu and then hangs until you type a
X character." Compare {block}. 3. To attach a peripheral
X device, esp. in the construction `hang off'. "We're going to
X hang another tape drive off the file server". Implies a device
X attached with cables, rather than something that's strictly inside
X the machine's chassis.
X
XHanlon's Razor: prov. A corollary of {Murphy's Law} similar to
X Occam's Razor that reads "Never attribute to malice that which can
X be adequately explained by stupidity." The derivation of the
X common title Hanlon's Razor is unknown; a similar epigram has been
X attributed to William James. Quoted here because it seems to be a
X particular favorite of hackers, often showing up in {fortune
X cookie} files and the login banners of BBS systems and commercial
X networks. This probably reflects the hacker's daily experience of
X environments created by the well-intentioned but shortsighted.
X
Xhardcoded: adj. 1. Data inserted directly into a program, where
X it cannot be easily modified, as opposed to data in some
X {profile}, resource (see {de-rezz} sense #2), or environment
X variable that a {user} or hacker can easily modify. 2. In C,
X this is esp. applied to use of a literal instead of a preprocessor
X `#define''d (see {magic number}).
X
Xhardwarily: /hard-weir'i-lee/ adv. In a way pertaining to hardware.
X "The system is hardwarily unreliable." The adjective
X `hardwary' is *not* used. See {softwarily}.
X
Xhardwired: adj. 1. In software, syn. for {hardcoded}. 2. By
X extension, anything that is not modifiable, especially in the sense
X of customizable to one's particular needs or tastes.
X
Xhas the X nature: [seems to derive from Zen Buddhist koans of the
X form "Does an X have the Buddha-nature?"] adj. Common hacker
X construction for `is an X', used for humorous emphasis. "Anyone
X who can't even use a program with on-screen help embedded in it
X truly has the {loser} nature!"
X
Xhash bucket: n. A notional receptacle into which more than one
X thing accessed by the same key or short code might be dropped.
X This is used as techspeak with respect to code that uses actual
X hash functions; in jargon, it is used for human associative memory
X as well. Thus, two things "in the same hash bucket" may be
X confused with each other. Compare {hash collision}.
X
Xhash collision: [from the technical usage] n. (var. `hash
X clash') When used of people, signifies a confusion in associative
X memory or imagination, especially a persistent one (see
X {thinko}). True story: one of us [ESR] was once on the phone
X with a friend about to move out to Berkeley. When asked what he
X expected Berkeley to be like, the friend replied "Well, I have
X this mental picture of naked women throwing Molotov cocktails, but
X I think that's just a collision in my hash tables." Compare
X {hash bucket}.
X
XHCF: /aych-see-eff/ n. Mnemonic for `Halt and Catch Fire', any of
X several undocumented and semi-mythical machine instructions with
X destructive side-effects, supposedly included for test purposes on
X several well-known architectures going as far back as the IBM 360.
X The MC6800 microprocessor was the first for which the HCF opcode
X became widely known. This instruction caused the processor to
X {toggle} a subset of the bus lines as rapidly as it can; in some
X configurations this can actually cause lines to burn up.
X
Xheads down: [Sun] adj. Concentrating, usually so heavily and for so
X long that everything outside the focus area is missed. See also
X {hack mode} and {larval stage}, although it's not confined to
X fledgling hackers.
X
Xheartbeat: n. 1. The signal emitted by a Level 2 Ethernet
X transceiver at the end of every packet to show that the
X collision-detection circuit is still connected. 2. A periodic
X synchronization signal used by software or hardware, such as a bus
X clock or a periodic interrupt. 3. The `natural' oscillation
X frequency of a computer's clock crystal, before frequency division
X down to the machine's clock rate. 4. A signal emitted at regular
X intervals by software to demonstrate that it's still alive.
X Sometimes hardware is designed to reboot the machine if it stops
X hearing a heartbeat. See also {breath-of-life packet}.
X
Xheavy metal: [Cambridge] n. Syn. {big iron}.
X
Xheavy wizardry: n. Code or designs which trade on a particularly
X intimate knowledge or experience of a particular operating system
X or language or complex application interface. Distinguished from
X {deep magic}, which trades more on arcane *theoretical*
X knowledge. Writing device drivers is heavy wizardry; so is
X interfacing to {X} (sense #2) without a toolkit. Esp. found in
X comments similar to "Heavy wizardry begins here...". Compare
X {voodoo programming}.
X
Xheavyweight: adj. High-overhead; {baroque}; code-intensive;
X featureful, but costly. Esp. used of communication protocols,
X language designs, and any sort of implementation in which maximum
X generality and/or ease of implementation has been pushed at the
X expense of mundane considerations like speed, memory utilization,
X and start-up time. {EMACS} is a heavyweight editor; {X} is an
X `extremely' heavyweight window system. This term isn't
X pejorative, but one man's heavyweight is another's {elephantine}
X and a third's {monstrosity}. Oppose `lightweight'.
X
Xheisenbug: /hie'zen-buhg/ [from Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle in
X quantum physics] n. A bug that disappears or alters its behavior
X when one attempts to probe or isolate it. Antonym of {Bohr bug}.
X In C, 9 out of 10 heisenbugs result from either {fandango on core}
X phenomena (esp. lossage related to corruption of the malloc
X {arena}) or errors that {smash the stack}.
X
XHelen Keller mode: n. State of a hardware or software system that
X is deaf, dumb, and blind, i.e. accepting no input and generating no
X output, usually due to an infinite loop or some other excursion
X into {deep space}. (Unfair to the real Helen Keller, whose
X success at learning speech was triumphant.) See also {go
X flatline}, {catatonic}.
X
Xhello sailor!: interj. Occasional West Coast equivalent of {hello,
X world}; seems to have originated at SAIL, later associated with
X the game {Zork} (which also included "hello aviator" and "hello
X implementor"). Originally from the traditional hooker's
X greeting to a swabbie fresh off the boat, of course.
X
Xhello wall!: excl. See {wall}.
SHAR_EOF
true || echo 'restore of jargon.ascii failed'
fi
echo 'End of part 8, continue with part 9'
echo 9 > _shar_seq_.tmp
exit 0