eric@snark.thyrsus.com (Eric S. Raymond) (03/03/91)
Submitted-by: jargon@thyrsus.com
Archive-name: jargon/part07
---- Cut Here and feed the following to sh ----
#!/bin/sh
# this is jargon.07 (part 7 of jargon)
# do not concatenate these parts, unpack them in order with /bin/sh
# file jargon.ascii continued
#
if test ! -r _shar_seq_.tmp; then
echo 'Please unpack part 1 first!'
exit 1
fi
(read Scheck
if test "$Scheck" != 7; then
echo Please unpack part "$Scheck" next!
exit 1
else
exit 0
fi
) < _shar_seq_.tmp || exit 1
if test -f _shar_wnt_.tmp; then
sed 's/^X//' << 'SHAR_EOF' >> 'jargon.ascii' &&
X
Xfence: n. 1. One or more distinguished ({out-of-band})
X characters (or other data items) used to delimit a piece of data
X intended to be treated as a unit (the computer science literature
X calls this a `sentinel'). The NUL character that terminates
X strings in C is a fence. Hex FF is probably the most common fence
X character after NUL. See {zigamorph}. 2. (Among users of
X optimizing compilers) Any technique, usually exploiting knowledge
X about the compiler, that blocks certain optimizations. Used when
X explicit mechanisms are not available, or are overkill (e.g., a
X single-point optimization block in an otherwise optimized
X procedure, program, etc.) Typically a hack: "I call a dummy
X procedure there to cause it to recompute the cse" can be expressed
X by the shorter "that's a fence procedure.".
X
Xfencepost error: n. 1. The discrete equivalent of a boundary
X condition. Often exhibited in programs by iterative loops. From
X the following problem: "If you build a fence 100 feet long with
X posts 10 feet apart, how many posts do you need?" Either 9 or 11
X is a better answer than the obvious 10. For example, suppose you
X have a long list or array of items, and want to process items m
X through n; how many items are there? The obvious answer is `n
X - m', but that is off by one; the right answer is `n - m + 1'.
X A program that used the `obvious' formula would have a fencepost
X error in it. See also {off-by-one error}, and note that not all
X off-by-one errors are fencepost errors. The game of Musical Chairs
X involves a catastrophic off-by-one error where N people try to sit
X in `N - 1' chairs, but it's not a fencepost error. Fencepost errors
X come from counting things rather than the spaces between them, or
X vice versa, or by neglecting to consider whether one should count
X one or both ends of a row. 2. Occasionally, an error induced by
X unexpectedly regular spacing of inputs, which can (for instance)
X screw up your hash table.
X
Xfepped out: /fept owt/ adj. The Symbolics 3600 Lisp Machine has a
X front-end processor called a `FEP' (compare sense #2 of {box}).
X When the main processor gets {wedged}, the FEP takes control of
X the keyboard and screen. Such a machine is said to have
X `fepped out'.
X
XFidoNet: n. A world-wide hobbyist network of personal computers
X which exchange mail, discussion groups, and files. Founded in 1984
X and originally consisting only of IBM PCs and compatibles, FidoNet
X now includes such diverse machines as Apple ][s, Ataris, Amigas,
X and UNIX systems. Though it is much younger than USENET, FidoNet
X is already a significant fraction of {USENET}'s size at some 8000
X systems (early 1991).
X
Xfield circus: [a derogatory pun on `field service'] n. The field
X service organization of any hardware manufacturer, but especially
X DEC. There is an entire genre of jokes about DEC field circus
X engineers:
X
X Q: How can you recognize a DEC field circus engineer with a flat tire?
X A: He's changing each tire to see which one is flat.
X
X Q: How can you recognize a DEC field circus engineer who is out of
X gas?
X A: He's changing each tire to see which one is flat.
X
Xfield servoid: [play on `android'] /fee'ld ser'voyd/ n.
X Representative of a Field Service organization (see {field
X circus}).
X
XFight-o-net: [FidoNet] n. Deliberate distortion of {FidoNet},
X often applied after a flurry of {flamage} in a particular
X {echo}, especially the SYSOP echo or Fidonews (see <'Snooze>).
X
XFile Attach: [FidoNet] 1. n. A file sent along with a mail message
X from one BBS to another. 2. vt. Sending someone a file by using
X the File Attach option in the BBS mailer.
X
XFile Request: [FidoNet] 1. n. The {FidoNet} equivalent of
X {FTP}, in which one BBS system automatically dials another and
X {snarf}s one or more files. Files are often announced as being
X "available for {FReq}" in the same way that files are announced
X as being "available for/by anonymous FTP" on the Internet.
X 2. vt. The act of getting a copy of a file by using the File
X Request option of the BBS mailer.
X
Xfilk: /filk/ [from SF fandom, where a typo for `folk' was adopted
X as a new word] n.,v. A `filk' is a popular or folk song with
X lyrics revised or completely new lyrics, intended for humorous
X effect when read and/or to be sung late at night at SF conventions.
X There is a flourishing subgenre of these called `computer filks',
X written by hackers and often containing technical humor of quite
X sophisticated nature. See {double bucky} for an example.
X
Xfilm at 11: [MIT, in parody of TV newscasters] Used in conversation
X to announce ordinary events, with a sarcastic implication that
X these events are earth-shattering. "{ITS} crashes; film at 11."
X "Bug found in scheduler; film at 11."
X
Xfilter: [orig. {UNIX}, now also in {MS-DOS}] n. A program that
X processes an input data stream into an output data stream in some
X well-defined way, and does no I/O to anywhere else except possibly
X on error conditions; one designed to be used as a stage in a
X {pipeline}.
X
Xfine: [WPI] adj. Good, but not good enough to be {cuspy}. The word
X `fine' is used elsewhere, of course, but without the implicit
X comparison to the higher level implied by {cuspy}.
X
Xfinger: [WAITS, via BSD UNIX] 1. n. A program that displays a
X particular user or all users logged on the system or a remote
X system. Typically shows full name, last login time, idle time,
X terminal line, and terminal location (where applicable). May also
X display a {plan file} left by the user. 2. vt. To apply finger
X to a username. 3. vt. By extension, to check a human's current
X state by any means. "Foodp?" "T!" "OK, finger Lisa and see
X if she's idle.". 4. Any picture (composed of ASCII characters)
X depicting `the finger'. Originally a humorous component of one's
X plan file to deter the curious fingerer (sense #2), it has entered
X the arsenal of some {flamer}s.
X
Xfinger-pointing syndrome: n. All-too-frequent result of bugs, esp.
X in new or experimental configurations. The hardware vendor points
X a finger at the software. The software vendor points a finger
X at the hardware. All the poor users get is the finger.
X
Xfirebottle: n. A large, primitive, power-hungry active electrical
X device, similar in function to a FET but constructed out of glass,
X metal, and vacuum. Characterized by high cost, low density, low
X reliability, high-temperature operation, and high power
X dissipation. Sometimes mistakenly called a `tube' in the U.S.
X or a `valve' in England; another hackish term is {glassfet}.
X
Xfirefighting: n. The act of throwing lots of manpower and late
X nights at a project, esp. to get it out before deadline. See also
X {gang bang}, {Mongolian Hordes technique}; however, the term
X `firefighting' connotes that the effort is going into chasing
X bugs rather than adding features.
X
Xfirewall code: n. The code you put in a system (say, a telephone
X switch) to make sure that the users can't do any damage. Since
X users always want to be able to do everything but never want to
X suffer for any mistakes, the construction of a firewall is not just
X a question of defensive coding but of interface presentation, so
X that users don't even get curious about those corners of a system
X where they can burn themselves.
X
Xfirewall machine: n. A dedicated gateway machine with special
X security precautions on it, used to service outside network
X connections and dial-in lines. The idea is to protect a cluster of
X more loosely administered machines `hidden' behind it from
X {cracker}s. The typical firewall is an inexpensive micro-based
X UNIX box kept clean of critical data, with a bunch of modems and
X public network ports on it but just one carefully watched
X connection back to the rest of the cluster. The special
X precautions may include threat monitoring, callback, and even a
X complete {iron box} keyable to particular incoming IDs or
X activity patterns. Syn. {flytrap}, {Venus flytrap}.
X
Xfireworks mode: n. The mode a machine is sometimes said to be in when
X it is performing a {crash and burn} operation.
X
Xfish: [Adelaide University, Australia] n. Another metasyntactic
X variable. See {foo}. Derived originally from the Monty Python
X skit in the middle of `The Meaning of Life' entitled `Find the
X fish'.
X
XFISH queue: [acronym, by analogy with FIFO (First In, First Out)]
X adj. First In, Still Here. A joking way of pointing out that
X processing of a particular sequence of events or requests has
X stopped dead. Also `FISH mode' and `FISHnet'; the latter
X may be applied to any network that is running really slowly or
X exhibiting extreme flakiness.
X
Xfix: n.,v. What one does when a problem has been reported too many
X times to be ignored.
X
Xflag: n. A variable or quantity that can take on one of two values; a
X bit, particularly one that is used to indicate one of two outcomes
X or is used to control which of two things is to be done. Examples:
X "This flag controls whether to clear the screen before printing
X the message." "The program status word contains several flag
X bits." See also {bit}, {hidden flag}, {mode bit}.
X
Xflag day: n. A software change which is neither forward- nor
X backward-compatible, and which is costly to make and costly to
X revert. "Can we install that without causing a flag day for all
X users?" This term has nothing to do with the use of the word
X {flag} to mean a variable that has two values. It came into use
X when a massive change was made to the {Multics} timesharing
X system to convert from the old ASCII code to the new one; this was
X scheduled for Flag Day (a U.S. holiday), June 14, 1966. See also
X {backward combatability}.
X
Xflaky: adj. (var sp. `flakey') Subject to frequent {lossage}.
X This use is of course related to the common slang use of the word,
X to describe a person as eccentric, crazy, or just unreliable. A
X system that is flaky is working, sort of, enough that you are
X tempted to try to use it, but it fails frequently enough that the
X odds in favor of finishing what you start are low. Commonwealth
X hackish prefers {dodgy} or {wonky}.
X
Xflamage: /flay'm@j/ n. High-noise, low-signal postings to {USENET}
X or other electronic fora. Often in the phrase `the usual
X flamage'.
X
Xflame: v. 1. To post an email message intended to insult and
X provoke. 2. vi. To speak incessantly and/or rabidly on some
X relatively uninteresting subject or with a patently ridiculous
X attitude. When a discussion degenerates into useless controversy,
X one might tell the participants, "Now you're just flaming" or
X "Stop all that flamage!" to try to get them to cool down (so to
X speak).
X
X USENETter Marc Ramsey, who was at WPI from 1972 to 1976 adds: "I
X am 99% certain that the use of `flame' originated at WPI. Those
X who made a nuisance of themselves insisting that they needed to use
X a TTY for `real work' came to be known as `flaming asshole lusers'.
X Other particularly annoying people became `flaming asshole ravers',
X which shortened to `flaming ravers', and ultimately `flamers'. I
X remember someone picking up on the Human Torch pun, but I don't
X think `flame on/off' was ever much used at WPI." See also
X {asbestos}.
X
X The term may have been independently invented at several different
X places; it is also reported that `flaming' was in use to mean
X something like `interminably drawn-out semi-serious discussions'
X (late-night bull-sessions) at Carleton College during 1968-1971.
X
Xflame bait: n. A posting intended to trigger a {flame war}, or one
X that invites flames in reply.
X
Xflame on: vi. 1. To begin to {flame}. The punning reference to
X Marvel Comics's Human Torch is no longer widely recognized. 2. To
X continue to flame. See {rave}, {burble}.
X
Xflame war: n. (var. `flamewar') An acrimonious dispute,
X especially when conducted on a public electronic forum such as
X {USENET}.
X
Xflamer: n. One who habitually flames others. Said esp. of obnoxious
X {USENET} personalities.
X
Xflap: vt. 1. To unload a DECtape (so it goes flap, flap,
X flap...). Old-time hackers at MIT tell of the days when the
X disk was device 0 and microtapes were 1, 2,... and attempting
X to flap device 0 would instead start a motor banging inside a
X cabinet near the disk! 2. By extension, to unload any magnetic
X tape. See {microtape}, {macrotape}. Modern cartridge tapes no
X longer actually flap, but the usage has remained.
X
Xflarp: /flarp/ [Rutgers University] n. Yet another metasyntactic
X variable (see {foo}). Among those who use it, it is associated
X with a legend that any program not containing the word `flarp'
X somewhere will not work. The legend is discreetly silent on the
X reliability of programs which *do* contain the magic word.
X
Xflat: adj. 1. Lacking any complex internal structure. "That
X {bitty box} only has a flat filesystem, not a hierarchical one."
X The verb form is {flatten}. 2. Said of a memory architecture
X like the VAX or 680x0 that is one big linear address space
X (typically with each possible value of a processor register
X corresponding to a unique core address), as opposed to a
X `segmented' architecture like the 80x86 in which addresses are
X composed from a base-register/offset pair (such designs are
X generally considered {cretinous}).
X
Xflat-ASCII: adj. Said of a text file that contains only 7-bit ASCII
X characters and uses only ASCII-standard control characters (that
X is, has no embedded codes specific to a particular text formatter
X or markup language, and no {meta}-characters). Syn.
X {plain-ASCII}. Compare {flat-file}.
X
Xflat-file: adj. A {flatten}ed representation of some database or
X tree or network structure, as a single file from which the
X structure could implicitly be rebuilt, esp. one in {flat-ASCII}
X form.
X
Xflatten: vt. To remove structural information, esp. to filter
X something with an implicit tree structure into a simple sequence of
X leaves; also tends to imply mapping to {flat-ASCII}. "This code
X flattens an expression with parentheses into an equivalent
X {canonical} form."
X
Xflavor: n. 1. Variety, type, kind. "DDT commands come in two
X flavors." "These lights come in two flavors, big red ones and
X small green ones." See {vanilla}. 2. The attribute that causes
X something to be {flavorful}. Usually used in the phrase "yields
X additional flavor." "This convention yields additional flavor by
X allowing one to print text either right-side-up or upside-down."
X See {vanilla}. This usage was certainly reinforced by the
X terminology of quantum chromodynamics, in which quarks (the
X constituents of, e.g., protons) come in six flavors (up, down,
X strange, charm, top, bottom) and three colors (red, blue, green)
X --- however, hackish use of `flavor' at MIT predated QCD. 3. The
X term for `class' (in the object-oriented sense) in the Lisp Machine
X Flavors system. Though the Flavors design has been superseded
X (notably by the Common Lisp CLOS facility), the term `flavor' is
X still used as a general synonym for `class' by some LISP hackers.
X
Xflavorful: adj. Full of {flavor}; esthetically pleasing. See
X {random} and {losing} for antonyms. See also the entries for
X {taste} and {elegant}.
X
Xflippy: /flip'ee/ n. A single-sided floppy disk altered for
X double-sided use by addition of a second write-notch, so called
X because it must be flipped over for the second side to be
X accessible. No longer common.
X
Xflowchart:: [techspeak] n. An archaic form of visual control-flow
X specification employing arrows and `speech balloons' of various
X shapes. Hackers never use flowcharts, consider them extremely
X silly, and associate them with {COBOL} programmers, {card
X walloper}s, and other lower forms of life. This is because (from a
X hacker's point of view) they are no easier to read than code, are
X less precise, and tend to fall out of sync with the code (so that
X they either obfuscate it rather than explaining it, or require
X extra maintenance effort that doesn't improve the code). See also
X {pdl}, sense #3.
X
Xflush: v. 1. To delete something, usually superfluous. "All
X that nonsense has been flushed." 2. [UNIX/C] To force buffered
X I/O to disk, as with an `fflush(3)' call. This is *not*
X an abort as in sense #1, but a demand for early completion! 3.
X To leave at the end of a day's work (as opposed to leaving for a
X meal). "I'm going to flush now." "Time to flush." 4. To
X exclude someone from an activity, or to ignore a person.
X
X `Flush' was standard ITS terminology for aborting an output
X operation; one spoke of the text that would have been printed, but
X was not, as having been flushed. It is speculated that this term
X arose from a vivid image of flushing unwanted characters by hosing
X down the internal output buffer, washing the characters away before
X they can be printed. The UNIX/C usage, on the other hand, was
X propagated by the `fflush(3)' call in C's standard I/O library
X (though it is reported to have been in use among BLISS programmers
X at DEC and on Honeywell and IBM machines as far back as 1965).
X UNIX/C hackers find the ITS usage confusing and vice versa.
X
Xflytrap: n. See {firewall machine}.
X
XFOAF: [USENET] n. Written-only acronym for Friend Of A Friend. The
X source of an unverified, possibly untrue story. This was not
X originated by hackers (it is used in Jan Brunvand's books on urban
X folklore), but is much better recognized on USENET and elsewhere
X than in mainstream English.
X
XFOD: v. [Abbreviation for `Finger of Death', originally a
X spell-name from fantasy gaming] To terminate with extreme prejudice
X and with no regard for other people. From {MUD}s where the
X wizard command `FOD <player>' results in the immediate and total
X death of <player>, usually as punishment for obnoxious behavior.
X This migrated to other circumstances, such as "I'm going to fod
X that process which is burning all the cycles." Compare {gun}.
X
X In aviation, FOD means Foreign Object Damage, e.g. what happens
X when a jet engine sucks up a rock on the runway. Finger of Death
X is an distressingly apt description of the usual results of this!
X
Xfold case: v. See {smash case}. This term tends to be used more
X by people who don't *mind* that their tools smash case. It
X also connotes that case is ignored but case distinctions in data
X processed by the tool in question aren't destroyed.
X
Xfollowup: n. On USENET, a {posting} generated in response to
X another posting (as opposed to a {reply}, which goes by email
X rather than being broadcast). Followups include the ID of the
X {parent message} in their headers; smart news-readers can use
X this information to present USENET news in `conversation' sequence
X rather than order-of-arrival. See {thread}.
X
Xfoo: /foo/ 1. interj. Term of disgust. 2. n. Name used for
X temporary programs, or samples of three-letter names. Other
X similar words are {bar}, {baz} (Stanford corruption of
X {bar}), and rarely `rag'. 3. Used very generally as a sample
X name for absolutely anything. 4. First on the standard list of
X metasyntactic variables used in syntax examples. See also:
X {bar}, {baz}, {qux}, {quux}, {corge}, {grault},
X {garply}, {waldo}, {fred}, {plugh}, {xyzzy}.
X
X {foo} is the {canonical} example of a `metasyntactic variable'; a
X name used in examples and understood to stand for whatever thing is
X under discussion, or any random member of a class of things under
X discussion. To avoid confusion, hackers never use `foo' or other
X words like it as permanent names for anything. In filenames, a
X common convention is that any filename beginning `foo' is a scratch
X file which may be deleted at any time.
X
X The etymology of hackish `foo' is obscure. When used in
X connection with `bar' it is generally traced to the WWII-era army
X slang acronym FUBAR (Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition), later
X bowdlerized to {foobar}.
X
X However, the use of the word `foo' itself has more complicated
X antecedents, including a long history in comic strips and cartoons.
X The old `Smokey Stover' comic strips by Bill Holman often
X included the word `FOO', in particular on license plates of cars;
X allegedly, `FOO' and `BAR' also occurred in Walt Kelly's
X `Pogo' strips. In a 1938 cartoon Daffy Duck holds up a sign
X saying "SILENCE IS FOO!" It is even possible that hacker usage
X actually springs from the title `FOO, Lampoons and Parody' of
X a comic book first issued 20 years later, in September 1958; the
X byline read `C. Crumb' but this may well have been a sort-of
X pseudonym for noted weird-comix artist Robert Crumb. The title FOO
X was featured in large letters on the front cover.
X
X An old-time member reports that in the semi-legendary 1959
X "Dictionany of the TMRC Language", compiled at at TMRC (the Tech
X Model Railroad Club at MIT, pronounced /tmerk'/), there was an
X entry which went something like this:
X
X FOO: The first syllable of the sacred chant phrase "FOO MANE PADME
X HUM." Our first obligation is to keep the foo counters turning.
X
X By 1962, TMRC's legendary model-railroad layout was already a
X marvel of complexity for which the control system alone featured
X about 1200 relays. There were {scram switch}es located at
X numerous places around the room which could be pressed if something
X undesirable was about to occur, such as a train going full-bore at
X an obstruction. Another feature of the system was a digital clock
X on the dispatch board. Normally it ran at some multiple of real
X time, but if someone hit a scram switch the clock stopped and the
X display was replaced with the word "FOO".
X
X Almost the entire AI staff was involved with the TMRC, so it's not
X clear that anyone can say which group introduced the other to the
X word FOO.
X
X Very probably, hackish `foo' had no single origin and derives
X through all these channels from Yiddish `feh' and/or English
X `fooey!'.
X
Xfoobar: n. Another common metasyntactic variable; see {foo}.
X Note that hackers do *not* generally use this to mean FUBAR!
X
Xfool: n. As used by hackers, specifically describes a person who
X habitually reasons from obviously or demonstrably incorrect
X premises and cannot be persuaded by evidence to do otherwise; it is
X not generally used in its other senses, i.e., to describe a person
X with a native incapacity to reason correctly, or a clown. Indeed,
X in hackish experience many fools are capable of reasoning all too
X effectively in executing their errors. See also {cretin}, {loser}.
X
Xfootprint: n. 1. The floor or desk area taken up by a piece of
X hardware. 2. [IBM] The audit trail (if any) left by a crashed
X program (often in plural, `footprints'). See also
X {toeprint}.
X
Xfor free: adj. Said of a capability of a programming language or
X hardware equipment which is available by its design without needing
X cleverness to implement, e.g, "In APL, we get the matrix
X operations for free", or "And owing to the way revisions are
X stored in this system, you get revision trees for free." Usually
X it refers to a serendipidous feature of doing things a certain way.
X Compare {big win}.
X
Xfor the rest of us: [from the Mac slogan "The computer for the
X rest of us"] adj. 1. Used to describe a {spiffy} product whose
X affordability shames other comparable products, or (more often)
X used sarcastically to describe {spiffy}, but very overpriced
X products. 2. Describes a program with a limited interface,
X deliberately limited capabilities, non-orthogonality, inability to
X compose primitives, or any other limitation designed to not
X `confuse' a naive user. This places an upper bound on how far that
X user can go before the program begins to get in the way of the task
X instead of helping accomplish it. Used in reference to Macintosh
X software which doesn't provide obviously necessary capabilities
X (and which are obvious to implement) because it is thought that the
X users wouldn't need them, wouldn't understand them, and other
X applicable patronizing terms. Becomes `the rest of *them*'
X when used in third-party reference; thus, "Yes, it is an
X attractive program, but it's designed for The Rest Of Them" means
X a program which superficially is neat but has no depth beyond the
X surface flash. See {WIMP environment}, {Macintrash}.
X
Xforeground: [UNIX] adj.,vt. 1. [techspeak] On a time-sharing
X system, a task executing in foreground is one able to accept input
X from and return output to the user; oppose {background}.
X Nowadays this term is primarily associated with {UNIX}, but it
X appears first to have been used in this sense on OS/360. Normally,
X there is only one foreground task per terminal (or terminal
X window); having multiple processes simultaneously reading the
X keyboard is a good way to {lose}. 2. By extension, to
X `foreground a task' is to bring it to the top of one's
X {stack} for immediate processing, and hackers often use it in
X this sense for non-computer tasks.
X
Xforked: [UNIX] adj. Terminally slow, or dead. Originated when the
X system slowed to incredibly bad speeds due to a process recursively
X spawning copies of itself (using the UNIX system call `fork(2)')
X and taking up all the process table entries.
X
XFortrash: n. Hackerism for the FORTRAN language, referring to its
X primitive design, gross and irregular syntax, limited control
X constructs, and slippery, exception-filled semantics.
X
Xfortune cookie: [UNIX] n. A random quote, item of trivia, joke, or
X maxim printed to the user's tty at login time or (less commonly) at
X logout time. Items from this lexicon have often been used as
X fortune cookies. See {cookie file}.
X
Xfossil: n. 1. In software, a misfeature that becomes understandable
X only in historical context, as a remnant of times past retained so
X as not to break compatibility. Example: the retention of octal as
X default base for string escapes in {C}, in spite of the better
X match of hexadecimal to ASCII and modern byte-addressable
X architectures. See {dusty deck}. 2. More restrictively, a
X feature with past but no present utility. Example: the
X force-all-caps (LCASE) bits in the V7 and {BSD} UNIX tty driver,
X designed for use with monocase terminals. In a perversion of the
X usual backward-compatibility goal, this functionality has actually
X been expanded and renamed in some later {USG UNIX} releases as
X the IUCLC and OLCUC bits. 3. The FOSSIL (Fido/Opus/Seadog
X Standard Interface Level) driver specification for serial-port
X access to replace the {brain-dead} routines in the IBM PC ROMs.
X Fossils are used by most MSDOS {BBS} software in lieu of
X programming the {bare metal} of the serial ports, as the ROM
X routines do not support interrupt-driven operation or setting
X speeds above 9600. Since the FOSSIL specification allows
X additional functionality to be hooked in, drivers that use the
X {hook} but do not provide serial-port access themselves are named
X with a modifier, as in `video fossil'.
X
Xfour-color glossies: 1. Literature created by {marketroid}s
X allegedly containing technical specs, but in fact as superficial as
X possible without being totally {content-free}. "Forget the
X four-color glossies, give me the tech ref manuals." Often applied
X even when the material is printed on ordinary paper in B&W as an
X indication of superficiality. Four-color-glossy manuals are
X *never* useful for finding a problem. 2. [rare] Applied by
X extension to manual pages that don't contain enough information to
X diagnose why the program doesn't produce the expected or desired
X output.
X
Xfred: n. 1. The personal name most frequently used as a
X metasyntactic variable (see {foo}). Allegedly popular because
X it's easy to type on a standard QWERTY keyboard. Unlike {J.
X Random Hacker} or `J. Random Loser', this name has no positive
X or negative loading (but see {Mbogo, Dr. Fred}). 2. An acronym
X for `Flipping Ridiculous Electronic Device'; other F-verbs may be
X substituted for "flipping".
X
Xfrednet: /fred'net/ n. Used to refer to some {random} and
X uncommon protocol encountered on a network. "We're implementing
X bridging in our router to solve the frednet problem."
X
Xfreeware: n. Free software, often written by enthusiasts and
X distributed by users' groups, or via electronic mail, local
X bulletin boards, {USENET}, or other electronic media. At one
X time, `freeware' was a trademark of Andrew Fluegelman, the author
X of the well-known MS-DOS comm program PC-TALK III. It wasn't
X enforced after his mysterious disappearance in 1984. See
X {shareware}.
X
Xfreeze: v. To lock an evolving software distribution or document
X against changes so it can be released with some hope of stability.
X Carries the strong implication that the item in question will
X `unfreeze' at some future date. "OK, fix that bug and we'll
X freeze for release."
X
XFReq: [FidoNet] written-only abbreviation for {File Request}.
X
Xfried: adj. 1. Non-working due to hardware failure; burnt out.
X Especially used of hardware brought down by a `power glitch'
X (see {glitch}), {drop-outs}, a short, or other electrical
X event. (Sometimes this literally happens to electronic circuits!
X In particular, resistors can burn out and transformers can melt
X down, emitting noxious smoke. However, this term is also used
X metaphorically.) Compare {frotzed}. 2. Of people, exhausted.
X Said particularly of those who continue to work in such a state.
X Often used as an explanation or excuse. "Yeah, I know that fix
X destroyed the file system, but I was fried when I put it in."
X
Xfritterware: n. An excess of capability that serves no productive
X end. The canonical example is font-diddling software on the Mac
X (see {macdink}); the term describes anything that eats huge
X amounts of time for quite marginal gains in function, but seduces
X people into using it anyway.
X
Xfrob: /frob/ 1. n. [MIT] The official Tech Model Railroad Club
X definition was `FROB = protruding arm or trunnion', and by
X metaphoric extension any somewhat small thing; an object that you
X can comfortably hold in one hand; something you can frob. See
X {frobnitz}. 2. vt. Abbreviated form of {frobnicate}. 3. [from the
X {MUD} world] To request {wizard} privileges on the `professional
X courtesy' grounds that one is a wizard elsewhere.
X
Xfrobnicate: /frob'ni-kayt/ vt. [Poss. derived from {frobnitz}, and
X usually abbreviated to {frob}, but `frobnicate' is recognized
X as the official full form.] To manipulate or adjust, to tweak.
X One frequently frobs bits or other two-state devices. Thus:
X "Please frob the light switch." (that is, flip it), but also
X "Stop frobbing that clasp; you'll break it." One also sees the
X construction `to frob a frob'. See {tweak} and {twiddle}.
X Usage: frob, twiddle, and tweak sometimes connote
X points along a continuum. `Frob' connotes aimless manipulation;
X `twiddle' connotes gross manipulation, often a coarse search for
X a proper setting; `tweak' connotes fine-tuning. If someone is
X turning a knob on an oscilloscope, then if he's carefully adjusting
X it, he is probably tweaking it; if he is just turning it but looking
X at the screen, he is probably twiddling it; but if he's just doing
X it because turning a knob is fun, he's frobbing it. The variant
X `frobnosticate' has been recently reported.
X
Xfrobnitz: /frob'nits/, pl. `frobnitzem' (frob'nit-zm) n. An
X unspecified physical object, a widget. Also refers to electronic
X black boxes. This rare form is usually abbreviated to `frotz',
X or more commonly to {frob}. Also used are `frobnule'
X (/frob'n[y]ool/) and `frobule' (/frob'nool/). Starting perhaps
X in 1979, `frobozz' /fruh-boz'/, plural `frobbotzim'
X /fruh-bot'z@m/ has also become very popular, largely due to its
X exposure as a name via {Zork}. These can also be applied to
X nonphysical objects, such as data structures.
X
Xfrog: alt. `phrog' 1. interj. Term of disgust (we seem to have
X a lot of them). 2. Used as a name for just about anything. See
X {foo}. 3. n. Of things, a crock. 4. n. Of people, somewhere
X in between a turkey and a toad. 5. `froggy': adj. Similar to
X `bagbiting' (see {bagbiter}), but milder. "This froggy
X program is taking forever to run!"
X
Xfront end: n. 1. An intermediary computer that does set-up and
X filtering for another (usually more powerful but less friendly)
X machine (a `back end'). 2. What you're talking to when you
X have a conversation with someone who is making replies without
X paying attention. "Look at the dancing elephants!" "Uh-huh."
X "Do you know what I just said?" "Sorry, you were talking to the
X front end." See also {fepped out}. 3. Software which provides
X an interface to another program `behind' it, which may not be as
X user-friendly. Probably from analogy with hardware front-ends (see
X sense #1) which interfaced with mainframes.
X
Xfrotz: /frotz/ 1. n. See {frobnitz}. 2. `mumble frotz': An
X interjection of very mild disgust.
X
Xfrotzed: /frotzt/ adj. {down} due to hardware problems. Compare
X {fried}. A machine which is merely frotzed may be fixable
X without replacing parts, but a fried machine is more seriously
X damaged.
X
Xfry: 1. vi. To fail. Said especially of smoke-producing hardware
X failures. More generally, to become non-working. Usage: never
X said of software, only of hardware and humans. See {fried}, {magic
X smoke}. 2. vt. To cause to fail; to {roach}, {toast}, or {hose} a
X piece of hardware (never used of software or humans).
X
XFTP: /ef-tee-pee/, *not* /fit'ip/ 1. [techspeak] n. The File
X Transfer Protocol for transmitting files between systems on the
X Internet. 2. vt. To {beam} a file using the File Transfer
X Protocol. 3. Sometimes used as a generic even for file transfers
X not using {FTP}. "Lemme get this copy of `Wuthering
X Heights' ftp'd from uunet."
X
Xfuck me harder: excl. Sometimes uttered in response to egregious
X misbehavior, esp. in software, and esp. of those which seem
X unfairly persistent (as though designed in by the imp of the
X perverse). Often theatrically elaborated: "Aiighhh! Fuck me with
X a piledriver and sixteen feet of curare-tipped wrought-iron fence
X *and no lubricants!*" The phrase is sometimes heard
X abbreviated FMH in polite company.
X
XFUD: /fuhd/ n. Defined by Gene Amdahl after he left IBM to found
X his own company: "FUD is the fear, uncertainty, and doubt that IBM
X sales people instill in the minds of potential customers who might
X be considering [Amdahl] products." The idea, of course, was to
X persuade them to go with safe IBM gear rather than with
X competitors' equipment. This was traditionally done by promising
X that Good Things would happen to people who stuck with IBM, but
X Dark Shadows loomed over the future of competitors' equipment or
X software. See {IBM}.
X
XFUD wars: /fuhd worz/ n. [from {FUD}] Political posturing engaged in
X by hardware and software vendors ostensibly committed to
X standardization but actually willing to fragment the market to
X protect their own shares. The UNIX International vs. OSF conflict,
X for example.
X
Xfudge: 1. vt. To perform in an incomplete but marginally acceptable
X way, particularly with respect to the writing of a program. "I
X didn't feel like going through that pain and suffering, so I fudged
X it --- I'll fix it later." 2. n. The resulting code.
X
Xfudge factor: n. A value or parameter that is varied in an ad hoc way
X to produce the desired result. The terms `tolerance' and
X {slop} are also used, though these usually indicate a one-sided
X leeway, such as a buffer that is made larger than necessary
X because one isn't sure exactly how large it needs to be, and it is
X better to waste a little space than to lose completely for not
X having enough. A fudge factor, on the other hand, can often be
X tweaked in more than one direction. A good example is the `fuzz'
X typically allowed in floating-point calculations: two numbers being
X compared for equality must be allowed to differ by a small amount;
X if that amount is too small, a computation may never terminate,
X while if it is too large, results will be needlessly inaccurate.
X Fudge factors are frequently adjusted incorrectly by programmers
X who don't fully understand their import. See also {coefficient
X of x}.
X
Xfuel up: vi. To eat or drink hurriedly in order to get back to
X hacking. "Food-p?" "Yeah, let's fuel up." "Time for a
X {great-wall}!" See also {{Oriental Food}}.
X
Xfuggly: /fuhg'lee/ adj. Emphatic form of {funky}; funky + ugly (or
X possibly a contraction of `fuckin' ugly'). Unusually for hacker
X jargon, this may actually derive from black street-jive. To say it
X properly, the first syllable should be growled rather than spoken.
X Usage: humorous. "Man, the {{ASCII}}-to-{{EBCDIC}} code in that printer
X driver is *fuggly*." See also {wonky}.
X
Xfunky: adj. Said of something that functions, but in a slightly
X strange, klugey way. It does the job and would be difficult to
X change, so its obvious non-optimality is left alone. Often used to
X describe interfaces. The more bugs something has that nobody has
X bothered to fix because workarounds are easier, the funkier it is.
X {TECO} and UUCP are funky. The Intel i860's exception handling is
X extraordinarily funky. Most standards acquire funkiness as they
X age. "The new mailer is installed, but is still somewhat funky;
X if it bounces your mail for no reason, try resubmitting it."
X "This UART is pretty funky. The data ready line is active-high in
X interrupt mode, and active-low in DMA mode." See {fuggly}.
X
Xfunny money: n. 1. Notional `dollar' units of computing time and/or
X storage handed to students at the beginning of a computer course;
X also called `play money' or `purple money' (in implicit
X opposition to real or `green' money). When your funny money
X ran out, your account froze and you needed to go to a professor to
X get more. Fortunately, the plunging cost of timesharing cycles has
X made this less common. The amounts allocated were almost
X invariably too small, even for the non-hackers who wanted to slide
X by with minimum work. In extreme cases, the practice led to
X small-scale black markets in bootlegged computer accounts. 2. By
X extension, phantom money or quantity tickets of any kind used as a
X resource-allocation hack within a system. Antonym: `real
X money'.
X
Xfuzzball: [TCP/IP hackers] n. A DEC LSI-11 running a particular suite
X of homebrewed software by Dave Mills and assorted co-conspirators,
X used in the early 1980s for Internet protocol testbedding and
X experimentation. These were used as NSFnet backbone sites in its
X early 56KB-line days; a few of these are still active on the
X Internet as of early 1990, doing odd jobs such as network time
X service.
X
X= G =
X=====
X
Xgabriel: /gay'bree-@l/ [for Dick Gabriel, SAIL LISP hacker and
X volleyball fanatic] n. An unnecessary (in the opinion of the
X opponent) stalling tactic, e.g., tying one's shoelaces or hair
X repeatedly, asking the time, etc. Also used to refer to the
X perpetrator of such tactics. Also, `pulling a Gabriel',
X `Gabriel mode'.
X
Xgag: vi. Equivalent to {choke}, but connotes more disgust. "Hey,
X this is FORTRAN code. No wonder the C compiler gagged." See also
X {barf}.
X
Xgang bang: n. The use of large numbers of loosely coupled
X programmers in an attempt to wedge a great many features into a
X product in a short time. While there have been memorable gang
X bangs (e.g., that over-the-weekend assembler port mentioned in
X Steven Levy's `Hackers'), most are perpetrated by large
X companies trying to meet deadlines and produce enormous buggy
X masses of code entirely lacking in orthogonality (see
X {orthogonal}). When market-driven managers make a list of all
X the features the competition has and assign one programmer to
X implement each, they often miss the importance of maintaining a
X coherent design. See also {firefighting}, {Mongolian Hordes
X technique}, {Conway's Law}.
X
Xgarbage collect: vi. (also `garbage collection', n.) See {GC}.
X
Xgarply: /gar'plee/ [Stanford] n. Another meta-syntactic variable (see
X {foo}); formerly popular among SAIL hackers.
X
Xgas: [as in `gas chamber'] 1. interj. A term of disgust and
X hatred, implying that gas should be dispensed in generous
X quantities, thereby exterminating the source of irritation. "Some
X loser just reloaded the system for no reason! Gas!" 2. interj. A
X suggestion that someone or something ought to be flushed out of
X mercy. "The system's wedging every few minutes. Gas!" 3. vt.
X To {flush} (sense #1). "You should gas that old crufty
X software." 4. [IBM] n. Dead space in nonsequentially organized
X files that was occupied by data that has been deleted; the
X compression operation that removes it is called `degassing' (by
X analogy, perhaps, with the use of the same term in vacuum
X technology).
X
Xgaseous: adj. Deserving of being {gas}sed. Disseminated by Geoff
X Goodfellow while at SRI; became particularly popular after the
X Moscone/Milk murders in San Francisco, when it was learned that Dan
X White (who supported Proposition 7) would get the gas chamber under
X 7 if convicted. He was eventually found not guilty by reason of
X insanity.
X
XGC: /jee-see/ [from LISP terminology; `Garbage Collect'] 1.
X vt. To clean up and throw away useless things. "I think I'll GC
X the top of my desk today." When said of files, this is equivalent
X to {GFR}. 2. vt. To recycle, reclaim, or put to another use.
X 3. n. An instantiation of the garbage collector process.
X
X `Garbage collection' is computer science jargon for a particular
X class of strategies for dynamically reallocating computer memory.
X One such strategy involves periodically scanning all the data in
X memory and determining what is no longer accessible; useless data
X items are then discarded so that the memory they occupy can be
X recycled and used for another purpose. Implementations of the LISP
X language usually use garbage collection.
X
X In jargon, the full phrase is sometimes heard but the {abbrev} is
X more frequently used because it's shorter. Note that there is an
X ambiguity in usage that has to be resolved by context: "I'm going
X to garbage-collect my desk" usually means to clean out the
X drawers, but it could also mean to throw away or recycle the desk
X itself.
X
XGCOS: n. A quick and dirty {clone} of System/360 DOS that emerged
X from GE about 1970; originally called GECOS (the General Electric
X Comprehensive Operating System). Later kluged to support
X primitive timesharing and transaction processing. After the buyout
X of GE's computer division by Honeywell, the name was changed to
X General Comprehensive Operating System (GCOS). Other OS groups at
X Honeywell began referring to it as `God's Chosen Operating System',
X allegedly in reaction to the GCOS crowd's uninformed and snotty
X attitude about the superiority of their product. All this might be
X of zero interest, except for two facts: (1) the GCOS people won the
X political war, resulting in the orphaning and eventual death of
X Honeywell {Multics}, and (2) GECOS/GCOS left one permanent mark
X on UNIX. Some early UNIX systems at Bell Labs were used as front
X ends to GCOS machines; the field added to /etc/passwd to carry GCOS
X ID information was called the `GECOS field' and survives today as
X the pw_gecos member used for the user's full name and other
X human-id information. GCOS later played a major role in keeping
X Honeywell a dismal also-ran in the mainframe market, and was itself
X ditched for UNIX in the late 1980s when Honeywell retired its aging
X {big iron} designs.
X
XGECOS: n. See GCOS.
X
Xgedanken: /g@-dahn'kn/ adj. Ungrounded; impractical; not
X well-thought-out; untried; untested. `Gedanken' is a German word
X for `thought'. A thought experiment is one you carry out in your
X head. In physics, the term `gedanken experiment' is used to
X refer to an experiment that is impractical to carry out, but useful
X to consider because you can reason about it theoretically. (A
X classic gedanken experiment of relativity theory involves thinking
X about a man in an elevator accelerating through space.) Gedanken
X experiments are very useful in physics, but you have to be careful.
X It was a gedanken experiment that led Aristotle to conclude that
X heavy things always fall faster than light things (he thought about
X a rock and a feather); this was accepted until Galileo proved
X otherwise.
X
X Among hackers, however, the word has a pejorative connotation. It
X is said of a project, especially one in artificial intelligence
X research, which is written up in grand detail (typically as a Ph.D.
X thesis) without ever being implemented to any great extent. Such a
X project is usually perpetrated by people who aren't very good
X hackers or find programming distasteful or are just in a hurry. A
X gedanken thesis is usually marked by an obvious lack of intuition
X about what is programmable and what is not, and about what does and
X does not constitute a clear specification of an algorithm. See
X also {DWIM}.
X
Xgeek out: vi. To temporarily enter techno-nerd mode while in a
X non-hackish context, for example at parties held near computer
X equipment. Especially used when you need to do something highly
X technical and don't have time to explain: "Pardon me while I geek
X out for a moment."
X
Xgen: /jen/ n.,v. Short for {generate}, used frequently in both spoken
X and written contexts.
X
Xgender mender: n., A cable connector shell with either two male or
X two female connectors on it, used to correct the mismatches that
X result when some {loser} didn't understand the RS232C
X specification and the distinction between DTE and DCE. Used esp.
X for RS-232C parts in either the original D-25 or the IBM PC's bogus
X D-9 format. Also called a `gender bender', `gender
X blender', `sex changer', and even `homosexual adaptor';
X there appears to be some confusion as to whether a `male homosexual
X adapter' has pins on both sides (is male) or sockets on both sides
X (connects two males).
X
XGeneral Public Virus: n. Pejorative name for some versions of the
X {GNU} project {copyleft} or General Public License (GPL), which
X requires that any tools or {app}s incorporating copylefted code
X must be source-distributed on the same counter-commercial terms as
X GNU stuff. Thus it is alleged that the copyleft `infects' software
X generated with GNU tools, which may in turn infect other software
X that reuses any of its code. The Free Software Foundation's
X official position as of January 1991 is that copyright law limits
X the scope of the GPL to "programs textually incorporating
X significant amounts of GNU code", and that the `infection' is not
X passed on to third parties unless actual GNU source is transmitted
X (as in, for example, use of the Bison parser skeleton).
X Nevertheless, widespread suspicion that the {copyleft} language
X is `boobytrapped' has caused many developers to avoid using GNU
X tools and the GPL.
X
Xgenerate: vt. To produce something according to an algorithm or
X program or set of rules, or as a (possibly unintended) side effect
X of the execution of an algorithm or program. The opposite of
X {parse}. This term retains its mechanistic connotations (though
X often humorously) when used of human behavior. "The guy is
X rational most of the time, but mention nuclear energy around him
X and he'll generate {infinite} flamage."
X
Xgensym: [from MacLisp for `generated symbol'] 1. v. To invent a new
X name for something temporary, in such a way that the name is almost
X certainly not already in conflict with one already in use. 2. n.
X The resulting name. The canonical form of a gensym is `Gnnnn'
X where nnnn represents a number; any LISP hacker would recognize
X G0093 (for example) as a gensym. 3. A freshly generated data
X structure with a gensymmed name. These are useful for storing or
X uniquely identifying crufties (see {cruft}).
X
XGet a life!: imp. Hacker-standard way of suggesting that the person
X to whom you are speaking has succumbed to terminal geekdom (see
X {computer geek}). Often heard on {USENET}, esp. as a way of
X suggesting that the target is taking some obscure issue of
X {theology} too seriously. This exhortation was popularized by
X William Shatner on a Saturday Night Live episode in a speech which
X ended "Get a *life*!", but some respondents believe it to
X have been in use before then.
SHAR_EOF
true || echo 'restore of jargon.ascii failed'
fi
echo 'End of part 7, continue with part 8'
echo 8 > _shar_seq_.tmp
exit 0