eric@snark.thyrsus.com (Eric S. Raymond) (03/03/91)
Submitted-by: jargon@thyrsus.com
Archive-name: jargon/part05
---- Cut Here and feed the following to sh ----
#!/bin/sh
# this is jargon.05 (part 5 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 "$Scheck" != 5; then
echo Please unpack part "$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
Xcopper: n. Conventional electron-carrying network cable, which uses
X copper as a core conductor --- or aluminum! Opposed to {light
X pipe} or, say, a short-range microwave link.
X
Xcopy protection: n. A class of clever methods for preventing
X incompetent pirates from stealing software and legitimate customers
X from using it. Considered silly.
X
Xcopybroke: adj. [play on `copyright'] Used to describe an
X instance of a copy-protected program which has been `broken'; that
X is, a copy with the copy-protection scheme disabled. Syn.
X {copywronged}.
X
Xcopyleft: /kop'ee-left/ [play on `copyright'] n. 1. The
X copyright notice (`General Public License') carried by {GNU}
X {EMACS} and other Free Software Foundation software, granting re-use
X and reproduction rights to all comers (but see also {General
X Public Virus}). 2. By extension, any copyright notice intended to
X achieve similar aims.
X
Xcopywronged: [play on `copyright'] adj. Syn. for {copybroke}.
X
Xcore: n. Main storage or RAM. Dates from the days of ferrite-core
X memory; now archaic most places outside IBM, but also still used in
X the UNIX community and by old-time hackers or those who would sound
X like same. Some derived idioms are quite current; `in core',
X for example, means `in memory' (as opposed to `on disk'), and both
X {core dump} and the `core image' or `core file' produced
X by one are terms in favors.
X
Xcore dump: n. [common {Iron Age} jargon, preserved by UNIX] 1. A
X copy of the contents of {core} produced when a process is aborted
X by certain kinds of internal error. 2. By extension, used for
X humans passing out, vomiting, or registering extreme shock. "He
X dumped core. All over the floor. What a mess." "He heard about
X ... and dumped core." 3. Occasionally used for a human
X rambling on pointlessly at great length; esp. in apology: "Sorry I
X dumped core on you". 4. A recapitulation of knowledge (compare
X {bits}, sense 1). Hence, spewing all one knows about a topic,
X esp. in a lecture or answer to an exam question. "Short, concise
X answers are better than core dumps." (from the instructions to a
X qual exam at Columbia; compare {brain dump}). See
X {core}.
X
Xcore leak: n. Syn. {memory leak}.
X
XCore Wars: n. A game between `assembler' programs in a simulated
X machine, where the objective is to kill your opponent's program by
X overwriting it. This was popularized by A. K. Dewdney's column in
X `Scientific American' magazine, but is said to have been first
X devised by Victor Vyssotsky as a PDP-1 hack, during the early '60s
X at Bell Labs. It is rumored that the game is a civilized version
X of an amusement called DARWIN common on multitasking machines
X before the advent of protected address segments. See {core}.
X
Xcorge: /korj/ [originally, the name of a cat] n. Yet another
X meta-syntactic variable, invented by Mike Gallaher and propagated
X by the Gosmacs documentation. See {grault}.
X
Xcosmic rays: n. Notionally, the cause of {bit rot}. However, this is
X a semi-independent usage which may be invoked as a humorous way to
X {handwave} away any minor {randomness} that doesn't seem worth the
X bother of investigating. "Hey, Eric --- I just got a burst of
X garbage on my {tube}, where did that come from?" "Cosmic rays, I
X guess." Compare {sunspots}, {phase of the moon}. The British seem
X to prefer the usage `cosmic showers'; `alpha particles' is also
X heard, because stray alpha particles passing through a memory chip
X can cause single-bit errors (this becomes increasingly more likely
X as memory sizes and densities increase).
X
X Factual note: alpha particles cause bit rot, cosmic rays do not
X (generally, except for spaceborne computers possibly). Intel could
X not explain random bit drops in their early chips. One hypothesis
X was cosmic rays. So they created the World's Largest Lead Safe, 25
X tons of lead, and used two identical boards for testing. One was
X placed in the safe, one outside. Hypothesis was that if cosmic
X rays were causing the bit drops, they should see a statistically
X significant difference between the error rates on the two boards.
X Result: hypothesis disproven. Further investigation demonstrated
X conclusively that it was alpha particle emission from thorium (and
X to a much lesser degree uranium) in the encapsulation material.
X Since it is impossible to eliminate these radioactives (they are
X uniformly distributed through the earth's crust, with the
X statistically insiginificant exception of uranium mines) it became
X obvious that you have to design memories to withstand these hits.
X
Xcough and die: v. Syn. {barf}. Connotes that the program is
X throwing its hands up by design rather than because of a bug or
X oversight.
X
Xcowboy: [Sun, from William Gibson's {cyberpunk} SF] n. Synonym for
X {hacker}. It is reported that, at Sun, this is often said with
X reverence.
X
XCP/M: /see-pee-em/ n. [Control Program for Microcomputers] An early
X microcomputer {OS} written by hacker Gary Kildall for 8080- and
X Z80-based machines, very popular in the late 1970s until virtually
X wiped out by MS-DOS after the release of the IBM PC in 1981 (legend
X has it that Kildall's company blew their chance to write the OS for
X the IBM PC because Kildall decided to spend the day IBM's reps
X wanted to meet with him enjoying the perfect flying weather in his
X private plane). Many of its features and conventions strongly
X resemble those of early DEC operating systems such as OS-8, RSTS,
X and RSX-11. See {MS-DOS}, {operating system}.
X
XCPU Wars: /see-pee-yoo worz/ n. A 1979 large-format comic by Chas
X Andres chronicling the attempts of the brainwashed androids of
X `IPM' (Impossible to Program Machines) to conquer and destroy the
X peaceful denizens of HEC (Human Engineered Computers). This rather
X transparent allegory featured many references to {ADVENT} and the
X immortal line "Eat flaming death, minicomputer mongrels!"
X (uttered, of course, by an IPM stormtrooper). It is alleged that
X the author subsequently received a letter of appreciation on IBM
X company stationery from the then-head of IBM's Thomas J. Watson
X research laboratories (then, as now, one of the few islands of true
X hackerdom in the IBM archipelago). The lower loop of the `B' in the
X IBM logo, it is said, had been carefully whited out. See {eat
X flaming death}.
X
Xcracker: n. One who breaks security on a system. Coined c.1985 by
X hackers in defense against journalistic misuse of {hacker} (q.v.,
X sense #7). There had been an earlier attempt to establish `worm'
X in this sense around 1981-1982 on USENET; this largely failed.
X
Xcrank: [from automotive slang] vt. Verb used to describe the
X performance of a machine, especially sustained performance. "This
X box cranks (or, cranks at) about 6 megaflops, with a burst mode of
X twice that on vectorized operations."
X
Xcrash: 1. n. A sudden, usually drastic failure. Most often said of
X the {system} (q.v., sense #1), sometimes of magnetic disk drives.
X "Three {luser}s lost their files in last night's disk crash."
X A disk crash which involves the read/write heads dropping onto the
X surface of the disks and scraping off the oxide may also be
X referred to as a `head crash', whereas the term `system
X crash' usually, though not always, implies that the operating
X system or other software was at fault. 2. vi. To fail suddenly.
X "Has the system just crashed?" See {down}. Also used
X transitively to indicate the cause of the crash (usually a person
X or a program, or both). "Those idiots playing {SPACEWAR}
X crashed the system." 3. vi. Sometimes said of people hitting the
X sack after a long {hacking run}; see {gronk} (sense #4).
X
Xcrash and burn: vi.,n. A spectacular crash, in the mode of the
X conclusion of the car chase scene from the movie `Bullitt' and
X many subsequent imitators. Sun-3 monitors losing the flyback
X transformer and lightning strikes on VAX-11/780 backplanes are
X notable crash and burn generators. The construction
X `crash-and-burn machine' is reported for a computer used
X exclusively for alpha or {beta} testing, or reproducing bugs
X (i.e., not for development). The implication is that it wouldn't
X be such a disaster if that machine crashed, since only the testers
X would be inconvenienced.
X
Xcrawling horror: n. Ancient crufty hardware or software that forces
X beyond the control of the hackers at a site refuse to let die.
X Like {dusty deck} or {gonkulator}, but connotes that the thing
X described is not just an irritation but an active menace to health
X and sanity. "Mostly we code new stuff in C, but they pay us to
X maintain one big FORTRAN II application from nineteen-sixty-X
X that's a real crawling horror...." Compare {WOMBAT}.
X
Xcray: /kray/ n. 1. (properly, capitalized) One of the line of
X supercomputers designed by Cray Research. 2. Any supercomputer at
X all. 3. The {canonical} {number-crunching} machine.
X
X The term is actually the lowercased last name of Seymour Cray, a
X noted computer architect and co-founder of the company. Numerous
X vivid legends surround him, some true and some admittedly invented
X by Cray Research brass to shape their corporate culture and image.
X
Xcray instability: n. A shortcoming of a program or algorithm which
X manifests itself only when running a large problem on a powerful
X machine. Generally more subtle than bugs that can be detected in
X smaller problems running on a workstation or mini.
X
Xcrayola: n. A super-mini or -micro computer that provides some
X reasonable percentage of supercomputer performance for an
X unreasonably low price. Might also be a {killer micro}.
X
Xcrayon: n. 1. Someone who works on Cray supercomputers. More
X specifically implies a programmer, probably of the CDC ilk,
X probably male, and almost certainly wearing a tie (irrespective of
X gender). Unicos systems types who have a UNIX background tend not
X to be described as crayons. 2. A {computron} that participates
X only in {number-crunching}. 3. A unit of computational power
X equal to that of a single Cray-1. There is a standard joke about
X this that derives from an old Crayola crayon promotional gimmick:
X when you buy 64 crayons you get a free sharpener.
X
Xcreationism: n. The (false) belief that large, innovative designs
X can be completely specified in advance and then painlessly magicked
X out of the void by the normal efforts of a team of normally
X talented programmers. In fact, experience has shown repeatedly
X that good designs arise only from evolutionary, exploratory
X interaction between one (or at most a small handful of)
X exceptionally able designer(s) and an active user population ---
X and that the first try at a big new idea is always wrong.
X Unfortunately, because these truths don't fit the planning models
X beloved of {management}, they are generally ignored.
X
Xcreeping elegance: n. Describes a tendency for parts of a design to
X become {elegant} past the point of diminishing return. This often
X happens at the expense of the less interesting parts of the design,
X schedule, and other things deemed important in the {Real World}.
X See also {creeping featurism}, {second-system effect}, {tense}.
X
Xcreeping featurism: /kree'ping fee'ch@r-izm/ n. 1. Describes a
X systematic tendency to load more {chrome} and {feature}s onto
X systems at the expense of whatever elegance they may have possessed
X when originally designed. See also {feeping creaturism}. "You
X know, the main problem with {BSD} UNIX has always been creeping
X featurism." 2. More generally, the tendency for anything
X complicated to become even more complicated because people keep
X saying, "Gee, it would be even better if it had this feature
X too." (See {feature}.) The result is usually a patchwork
X because it grew one ad-hoc step at a time, rather than being
X planned. Planning is a lot of work, but it's easy to add just one
X extra little feature to help someone... and then another...
X and another.... When creeping featurism gets out of hand, it's
X like a cancer. Usually this term is used to describe computer
X programs, but it could also be said of the federal government, the
X IRS 1040 form, and new cars. A similar phenomenon sometimes
X afflicts conscious redesigns; see {second-system effect}. See
X also {creeping elegance}.
X
Xcreeping featuritis: /kree'ping fee'-c@r-ie`t@s/ n. Variant of
X {creeping featurism}, with its own Spoonerization as `feeping
X creaturitis'. Some people like to reserve this form for the
X disease as it actually manifests in software or hardware, as
X opposed to the lurking general tendency in designers' minds. After
X all, -ism means `condition' or `pursuit of', whereas -itis usually
X means `inflammation of'.)
X
Xcretin: /kre'tn/ or /kree'tn/ n. Congenital {loser}; an obnoxious
X person; someone who can't do anything right. It has been observed
X that many American hackers tend to favor the British pronunciation
X /kre'tn/ over standard American /kree'tn/; it is thought this may
X be due to the insidious phonetic influence of Monty Python's Flying
X Circus.
X
Xcretinous: /kre't@n-uhs/ or /kree't@n-uhs/ adj. Wrong;
X non-functional; very poorly designed. Also used pejoratively of
X people. Synonyms: {bletcherous}, `bagbiting' (see
X {bagbiter}), {losing}, {brain-damaged}.
X
Xcrippleware: n. 1. Software that has some important functionality
X deliberately removed, so as to entice potential users to pay for a
X working version. See also {guiltware}. 2. [Cambridge]
X {guiltware} that exhorts you to donate to some charity.
X
Xcritical mass: n. In physics, the minimum amount of fissionable
X material required to sustain a chain reaction. Of a software
X product, describes a condition of the software such that fixing one
X bug introduces one plus {epsilon} bugs. When software achieves
X critical mass, it can only be discarded and rewritten.
X
Xcrlf: /ker'l@f/, sometimes /kru'l@f/ or /see-ar-el-eff/ n. (often
X capitalized as `CRLF') A carriage return (CR) followed by a line
X feed (LF). More loosely, whatever it takes to get you from the end
X of one line of text to the beginning of the next line. See
X {newline}, {terpri}. Under {UNIX} influence this usage has
X become less common (UNIX uses a bare line feed as its `CRLF').
X
Xcrock: [from the obvious mainstream scatologism] n. 1. An awkward
X feature or programming technique that ought to be made cleaner.
X Example: Using small integers to represent error codes without the
X program interpreting them to the user (as in, for example, UNIX
X `make(1)', which returns code 139 for a process that dies due
X to {segfault}). 2. A technique that works acceptably, but which
X is quite prone to failure if disturbed in the least, for example
X depending on the machine opcodes having particular bit patterns so
X that you can use instructions as data words too; a tightly woven,
X almost completely unmodifiable structure. See {kluge},
X {brittle}. Also in the adjectives `crockish' and
X `crocky', and the noun `crockitude'.
X
Xcross-post: [USENET] vi. To post a single article directed to
X several newsgroups. Distinguished from posting the article
X repeatedly, once to each newsgroup, which causes people to see it
X multiple times. Cross-posting is frowned upon, as it tends to
X cause {followup} articles to go to inappropriate newsgroups as
X people respond to only one part of the original posting (unless the
X originator is careful to specify a newsgroup for followups.)
X
Xcrudware: /kruhd'weir/ n. Pejorative term for the hundreds of
X megabytes of low-quality {freeware} circulated by user's groups
X and BBS systems in the micro-hobbyist world. "Yet *another*
X set of disk catalog utilities for {MS-DOS}? What crudware!"
X The related usage `fuckware' is reported for software so bad it
X mutilates your disk, broadcasts to the Internet, or perpetrates
X some similar fiasco.
X
Xcruft: /kruhft/ 1. [back-formation from {crufty}] 1. n. An unpleasant
X substance. The dust that gathers under your bed is cruft. 2. n.
X The results of shoddy construction. 3. vt. [from hand cruft, pun on
X hand craft] to write assembler code for something normally (and
X better) done by a compiler (see {hand-hacking}). 4. n. Excess;
X superfluous junk. Esp. used of redundant or superseded code.
X
Xcruft together: vt. (also `cruft up') To throw together
X something ugly but temporarily workable. Like vt. {kluge up},
X but more pejorative. "There isn't any program now to reverse all
X the lines of a file, but I can probably cruft one together in about
X ten minutes." See {hack together}, {hack up}, {kluge up},
X {crufty}.
X
Xcruftsmanship: /kruhfts'man-ship / n. [from {cruft}] The
X antithesis of craftsmanship.
X
Xcrufty: /kruhf'tee/ [origin unknown; poss. from `crusty' or
X `cruddy'] adj. 1. Poorly built, possibly overly complex. The
X {canonical} example is "This is standard old crufty DEC
X software." In fact, one fanciful theory of the origin of `crufty'
X holds that was originally a mutation of `crusty' applied to DEC
X software so old that the S characters were tall and skinny, looking
X more like `f' characters. 2. Unpleasant, especially to the
X touch, often with encrusted junk. Like spilled coffee smeared with
X peanut butter and catsup. 3. Generally unpleasant. 4.
X (sometimes spelled `cruftie') n. A small crufty object (see
X {frob}); often one that doesn't fit well into the scheme of
X things. "A LISP property list is a good place to store crufties
X (or, collectively, {random} cruft)."
X
Xcrumb: n. Two binary digits; a {quad}. Larger than a {bit},
X smaller than a {nybble}. Syn. {tayste}.
X
Xcrunch: 1. vi. To process, usually in a time-consuming or
X complicated way. Connotes an essentially trivial operation that is
X nonetheless painful to perform. The pain may be due to the
X triviality being embedded in a loop from 1 to 1,000,000,000.
X "FORTRAN programs do mostly {number-crunching}." 2. vt. To
X reduce the size of a file by a complicated scheme that produces bit
X configurations completely unrelated to the original data, such as
X by a Huffman code. (The file ends up looking like a paper document
X would if somebody crunched the paper into a wad.) Since such
X compression usually takes more computations than simpler methods
X such as run-length encoding, the term is doubly appropriate. (This
X meaning is usually used in the construction `file crunch(ing)' to
X distinguish it from `number crunch(ing)'.) See {compress}. 3.
X n. The character `#'. Usage: used at Xerox and CMU, among
X other places. See {{ASCII}}. 4. vt. To squeeze program source
X into a minimum-size representation that will still compile or
X execute. The term came into being specifically for a famous
X program on the BBC that crunched BASIC source in order to make it
X run more quickly (it was a wholly interpretive BASIC).
X {Obfuscated C Contest} entries are often crunched, see the first
X example under that entry.
X
Xcruncha cruncha cruncha: /kruhn'ch@ kruhn'ch@ kruhn'ch@/ interj.
X An encouragement sometimes muttered to a machine bogged down in a
X serious {grovel}. Also describes a notional sound made by
X grovelling hardware. See {wugga wugga}, {grind} (sense #3).
X
Xcryppie: /krip'ee/ n. A cryptographer. One who hacks or implements
X cryptographic software or hardware.
X
XCTSS: /see-tee-ess-ess/ n. Compatible Time-Sharing System. An early
X (1963) experiment in the design of interactive time-sharing
X operating systems. Cited here because it was ancestral to
X {Multics}, {UNIX}, and {ITS}. The name {ITS} ("Incompatible
X Time-sharing System") was a hack on CTSS, meant both as a joke and
X to express some basic differences in philosophy about the way I/O
X services should be presented to user programs.
X
XCTY: /sit'ee/ or /see tee wie/ n. [MIT] The terminal physically
X associated with a computer's system {{console}}. The term is a
X contraction of `Console {tty}', that is, `Console TeleTYpe'.
X This {ITS}- and {TOPS-10}-associated term has become less common
X than formerly, as most UNIX hackers simply refer to the CTY as `the
X console'.
X
Xcube: n. 1. [short for `cubicle'] A module in the open-plan
X offices used at many programming shops. "I've got the manuals in
X my cube". 2. A NeXT machine.
X
Xcubing: [parallel with `tubing'] vi. 1. Hacking on an IPSC (Intel
X Personal SuperComputer) hypercube. "Louella's gone cubing
X *again*!!" 2. Hacking Rubik's Cube or related puzzles,
X either physically or mathematically. 3. An indescribable form of
X self-torture (see sense #1).
X
Xcursor dipped in X: n. There are a couple of metaphors in English
X of the form `pen dipped in X' (perhaps the most common values of X
X are `acid', `bile' and `vitriol'). These map over neatly to this
X hackish usage (the cursor being what moves, leaving letters behind,
X when one is composing on-line).
X
Xcuspy: /kuhs'pee/ [coined at WPI from the DEC acronym CUSP, for
X Commonly Used System Program, i.e., a utility program used by many
X people] adj. 1. (of a program) Well-written. 2. Functionally
X excellent. A program that performs well and interfaces well to
X users is cuspy. See {rude}. 3. [NYU] Said of an attractive
X woman, especially one regarded as available. Implies a certain
X curvaceousness.
X
Xcut a tape: [poss. fr. mainstream `cut a check' or from the
X recording industry's `cut a record'] vi. To write a software or
X document distribution on magnetic tape for shipment. Has nothing
X to do with physically cutting the medium! Though this usage is
X quite widespread, one never speaks of analogously `cutting a disk'
X or anything else in this sense.
X
Xcybercrud: /sie'ber-kruhd/ [coined by Ted Nelson] n. Obfuscatory
X tech-talk. Verbiage with a high {MEGO} factor. The computer
X equivalent of bureaucratese.
X
Xcyberpunk: /sie'ber-puhnk/ [orig. by SF writer Bruce Bethke and/or
X editor Gardner Dozois] n.,adj. A subgenre of SF launched in 1982
X by William Gibson's epoch-making novel `Neuromancer' (though
X its roots go back through Vernor Vinge's `True Names' (see
X Appendix C) to John Brunner's 1975 novel, `The Shockwave
X Rider'). Gibson's near-total ignorance of computers and the
X present-day hacker culture enabled him to speculate about the role
X of computers and hackers in the future in ways hackers have since
X found both irritatingly naive and tremendously stimulating.
X Gibson's work was widely imitated, in particular by the short-lived
X but innovative `Max Headroom' TV series. See {cyberspace},
X {ice}, {go flatline}.
X
Xcyberspace: /sie'ber-spays/ n. 1. Notional `information-space'
X loaded with visual cues and navigable with brain-computer
X interfaces called `cyberspace decks'; a characteristic prop of
X {cyberpunk} SF. At time of writing (mid-1991), serious efforts to
X construct {virtual reality} interfaces modelled explicitly on
X Gibsonian cyberspace are already under way, using more conventional
X devices such as glove sensors and binocular TV headsets. Few
X hackers are prepared to outright deny the possibility of a
X cyberspace someday evolving out of the network (see {network,
X the}). 2. Occasionally, the metaphoric location of the mind of a
X person in {hack mode}. Some hackers report experiencing strong
X eidetic imagery when in hack mode; interestingly, independent
X reports from multiple sources suggest that there are common
X features to the experience. In particular, the dominant colors of
X this subjective `cyberspace' are often gray and silver, and the
X imagery often involves constellations of marching dots, elaborate
X shifting patterns of lines and angles, or moire patterns.
X
Xcycle: n. The basic unit of computation. What every hacker wants
X more of. One might think that single machine instructions would be
X the measure of computation, and indeed computers are often compared
X by how many instructions they can process per second, but some
X instructions take longer than others. Nearly all computers have an
X internal clock, though, and you can describe an instruction as
X taking so many `clock cycles'. Frequently the computer can
X access its memory once on every clock cycle, and so one speaks also
X of `memory cycles'. These are technical meanings of {cycle}.
X The jargon meaning comes from the observation that there are only so
X many cycles per second, and when you are sharing a computer, the
X cycles get divided up among the users. The more cycles the
X computer spends working on your program rather than someone else's,
X the faster your program will run. That's why every hacker wants
X more cycles: so he can spend less time waiting for the computer to
X respond.
X
Xcycle crunch: n. The situation where the number of people trying to
X use the computer simultaneously has reached the point where no one
X can get enough cycles because they are spread too thin. This is an
X inevitable result of Parkinson's Law applied to timesharing.
X Usually the only solution is to buy more computer. Happily, this
X has rapidly become easier in recent years, so much so that the very
X term `cycle crunch' now has a faintly archaic flavor; most
X hackers now use workstations or personal computers as opposed to
X traditional timesharing systems.
X
Xcycle drought: n. A scarcity of cycles. It may be due to a {cycle
X crunch}, but could also occur because part of the computer is
X temporarily not working, leaving fewer cycles to go around.
X Example: "The {high moby} is {down}, so we're running with only
X half the usual amount of memory. There will be a cycle drought
X until it's fixed."
X
Xcycle of reincarnation: [coined by Iven Sutherland c.1970] n. Term
X used to refer to a well-known effect whereby function in a
X computing system family is migrated out to special-purpose
X peripheral hardware for speed, then the peripheral evolves towards
X more computing power as it does its job, then somebody notices that
X it's inefficient to support two asymmetrical processors in the
X architecture and folds the function back into the main CPU, at
X which point the cycle begins again. Several iterations of this
X cycle have been observed in graphics processor design, and at least
X one or two in communications and floating-point processors. Also
X known as `the Wheel of Life', `the Wheel of Samsara', and
X other variations of the basic Hindu/Buddhist theological idea.
X
Xcycle server: n. A powerful machine that exists primarily for
X running large batch jobs. Implies that interactive tasks such as
X editing are done on other machines on the network, such as
X workstations.
X
X= D =
X=====
X
Xdaemon: /day'm@n/ or /dee'm@n/ [Disk And Execution MONitor] n. A
X program which is not invoked explicitly, but which lies dormant
X waiting for some condition(s) to occur. The idea is that the
X perpetrator of the condition need not be aware that a daemon is
X lurking (though often a program will commit an action only because
X it knows that it will implicitly invoke a daemon). For example,
X under {ITS} writing a file on the {LPT} spooler's directory
X would invoke the spooling daemon, which would then print the file.
X The advantage is that programs which want (in this example) files
X printed need not compete for access to the {LPT}. They simply
X enter their implicit requests and let the daemon decide what to do
X with them. Daemons are usually spawned automatically by the
X system, and may either live forever or be regenerated at intervals.
X Usage: {daemon} and {demon} are often used interchangeably, but
X seem to have distinct connotations. The term {daemon} was
X introduced to computing by {CTSS} people (who pronounced it
X dee'mon) and used it to refer to what ITS called a {dragon}.
X While the meaning and pronunciation have drifted, we think this
X glossary reflects current (1991) usage.
X
Xdangling pointer: n. A reference that doesn't actually lead
X anywhere (in C and some other languages, a pointer that doesn't
X actually point at anything valid). Usually this is because it
X formerly pointed to something which has moved or disappeared. Used
X as jargon in a generalization of its techspeak meaning; a local
X phone number for a person who's since moved to the other coast, for
X example.
X
XDatamation: n. A magazine that many hackers assume all {suit}s
X read. Used to question an unbelieved quote, as in "Did you read
X that in Datamation?" It used to publish something hackishly
X funny every once in a while, like the original paper on {COME
X FROM} in 1973; but since then it's become much more exclusively
X {suit}-oriented.
X
Xday mode: n. See {phase} (sense #1). Used of people only.
X
XD. C. Power Lab: n. The former site of the {SAIL}. Hackers
X thought this was very funny because the obvious connection to
X electrical engineering was nonexistent --- the lab was named for a
X Donald C. Power. Compare {Marginal Hacks}.
X
Xdd: /dee-dee/ [from IBM {JCL}] vt. Equivalent to {cat} or
X {BLT}. This was originally the name of a UNIX copy command with
X special options suitable for block-oriented devices. Often used in
X heavy-handed system abuse, as in "Let's dd the root partition onto
X a tape, then use the boot PROM to load it back on to a new disk".
X The UNIX `dd(1)' was designed with a weird, distinctly
X non-UNIXy keyword option syntax reminiscent of IBM System/360 JCL
X (which had a similar DD command); though the command filled a need,
X the design choice looks like somebody's idea of a joke. The jargon
X usage is now very rare outside UNIX sites and now nearly obsolete
X even there, as `dd(1)' has been {deprecated} for a long time
X (though it has no replacement). Replaced by {BLT} or simple
X English `copy'.
X
XDDT: /dee-dee-tee/ n. 1. Generic term for a program that helps you
X to debug other programs by showing individual machine instructions
X in a readable symbolic form and letting the user change them. In
X this sense the term DDT is now archaic, having been widely
X displaced by `debugger' or names of individual programs like
X `dbx', `adb', or `sdb'. 2. [ITS] Under MIT's fabled
X {ITS} operating system, DDT (running under the alias HACTRN) was
X also used as the {shell} or top level command language used to
X execute other programs. 3. Any one of several specific DDTs (sense
X #1) supported on early DEC hardware. The DEC PDP-10 Reference
X Handbook (1969) contained a footnote on the first page of the
X documentation for DDT which illuminates the origin of the
X term:
X
X Historical footnote: DDT was developed at MIT for the PDP-1
X computer in 1961. At that time DDT stood for "DEC Debugging
X Tape". Since then, the idea of an on-line debugging program
X has propagated throughout the computer industry. DDT programs
X are now available for all DEC computers. Since media other
X than tape are now frequently used, the more descriptive name
X "Dynamic Debugging Technique" has been adopted, retaining
X the DDT acronym. Confusion between DDT-10 and another well
X known pesticide, dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane
X (C14-H9-Cl5) should be minimal since each attacks a different,
X and apparently mutually exclusive, class of bugs.
X
X Sadly, this quotation was removed from later editions of the
X handbook after the {suit}s took over and DEC became much more
X `businesslike'.
X
Xde-rezz: /dee-rez'/ [from the movie `Tron'; poss. related to
X `hi-res' used for a graphics mode on early Apples] (also `derez')
X 1. vi. To disappear or dissolve; the image that goes with it is of
X an object breaking up into raster lines and static and then
X dissolving. Occasionally used of a person who seems to have
X suddenly `fuzzed out' mentally rather than physically. Usage:
X extremely silly, also rare. This verb was actually invented as
X *fictional* hacker jargon, and adopted in a spirit of irony by
X real hackers years after the fact. 2. vt. On a Macintosh, many
X program structures (including the code itself) are managed in small
X segments of the program file known as `resources'. The standard
X resource compiler is Rez. The standard resource decompiler is
X DeRez. Thus decompiling a resource is `derezzing'. Usage: very
X common.
X
Xdead code: n. Routines that can never be accessed because all calls
X to them have been removed, or code which cannot be reached because
X it is guarded by a control structure which provably must always
X transfer control somewhere else. The presence of dead code may
X reveal either logical errors due to alterations in the program or
X significant changes in the assumptions and environment of the
X program (see also {software rot}); a good compiler should report
X dead code so a maintainer can think about what it means. Syn.
X {grunge}.
X
Xdeadlock: n. 1. [techspeak] A situation wherein two or more
X processes are unable to proceed because each is waiting for one of
X the other to do something. A common example is a program
X communicating to a server, which may find itself waiting for output
X from the server before sending anything more to it, while the
X server is similarly waiting for more input from the controlling
X program before outputting anything. (It is reported that this
X particular flavor of deadlock is sometimes called a `starvation
X deadlock', though the term `starvation' is more properly used for
X situations where a program can never run simply because it never
X gets high enough priority. Another common flavor is
X `constipation', where each process is trying to send stuff to
X the other, but all buffers are full because nobody is reading
X anything.) See {deadly embrace}. 2. Also used of
X deadlock-like interactions between humans, as when two people meet
X in a narrow corridor, and each tries to be polite by moving aside
X to let the other pass, but they end up swaying from side to side
X without making any progress because they always both move the same
X way at the same time.
X
Xdeadly embrace: n. Same as {deadlock}, though usually used only when
X exactly two processes are involved. This is the more popular term in
X Europe, while {deadlock} predominates in the United States.
X
Xdeath star: [from the movie `Star Wars'] The AT&T corporate
X logo, which appears on computers sold by AT&T and bears an uncanny
X resemblance to the `Death Star' in the movie. This usage is
X particularly common among partisans of {BSD} UNIX, who tend to
X regard the AT&T versions as inferior and AT&T as a bad guy. Copies
X still circulate of a poster printed by Mt. Xinu showing a starscape
X with a space fighter labelled 4.2BSD streaking away from a broken
X AT&T logo wreathed in flames.
X
X AT&T's internal magazine, `Focus', uses `death star' for
X an incorrectly done AT&T logo in which the inner circle in the top
X left is dark instead of light --- a frequent result of dark-on-light
X logo images.
X
XDEC Wars: n. A 1983 {USENET} posting by Alan Hastings and Steve Tarr,
X spoofing the `Star Wars' movies in hackish terms. Some years
X later, ESR (disappointed by Hastings/Tarr's failure to exploit a
X great premise more thoroughly) posted a three-times-longer complete
X rewrite called `UNIX WARS'; the two are often confused.
X
XDEChead: /dek'hed/ n. 1. A DEC {field servoid}. Not flattering.
X 2. [from `deadhead'] A Grateful Dead fan working at DEC.
X
Xdeckle: [from dec- and {nickle}] /dek'l/ n. Two {nickle}s; 10
X bits. Reported among developers for Mattel's GI 1600 (the
X Intellivision games processor), a chip with 16-bit-wide RAM but
X 10-bit-wide ROM.
X
Xdeep hack mode: n. See {hack mode}.
X
Xdeep magic: [poss. from C.S. Lewis's `Narnia' books.] n. An
X awesomely arcane technique central to a program or system, esp. one
X not generally published and available to hackers at large (compare
X {black art}); one which could only have been composed by a true
X {wizard}. Compiler optimization techniques and many aspects of
X {OS} design used to be {deep magic}; many techniques in
X cryptography, signal processing, graphics, and AI still are.
X Compare {heavy wizardry}. Esp. found in comments of the form
X "Deep magic begins here...". Compare {voodoo programming}.
X
Xdeep space: adj. 1. Describes the notional location of any program
X which has gone {off the trolley}. Esp. used of programs which
X just sit there silently grinding long after either failure or some
X output is expected. Compare {buzz}, {catatonic},
X {hyperspace}. 2. The metaphorical location of a human so dazed
X and/or confused or caught up in some esoteric form of {bogosity}
X that he/she no longer responds coherently to normal communication.
X Compare {page out}.
X
Xdefenestration: [from the traditional Czechoslovak method of
X assassinating prime ministers, via SF fandom] n. 1. Proper karmic
X retribution for an incorrigible punster. "Oh, ghod, that was
X *awful*!" "Quick! Defenestrate him!" 2. The act of
X exiting a window system in order to get better response time from a
X full-screen program. This comes from the dictionary meaning of
X `defenestrate', which is to throw something out a window. 3.
X [proposed] The requirement to support a command-line interface.
X As: "It has to run on a VT100." "Curses! I've been
X defenestrated".
X
Xdefined as: adj. Currently in the role of, usually in an
X off-the-organization-chart sense. "Pete is currently defined as
X bug prioritizer." Compare {logical}.
X
Xdehose: vt. To clear a {hosed} condition.
X
Xdelint: vt. To modify code to remove problems detected when linting.
X See {lint}.
X
Xdelta: n. 1. [techspeak] A quantitative change, especially a
X small or incremental one (this use is general in physics and
X engineering). Example: "I just doubled the speed of my program!"
X "What was the delta on program size?" "About thirty percent."
X (He doubled the speed of his program, but increased its size by
X only thirty percent.) 2. [UNIX] A {diff}, especially a
X {diff} stored under the set of version-control tools called SCCS
X (Source Code Control System). 3. n. A small quantity, but not as
X small as {epsilon}. The jargon usage of {delta} and
X {epsilon} stems from the traditional use of these letters in
X mathematics for very small numerical quantities, particularly in
X `epsilon-delta' proofs in limit theory (as in the differential
X calculus). The term {delta} is often used once {epsilon} has
X been mentioned to mean a quantity that is slightly bigger than
X {epsilon} but still very small. For example, "The cost isn't
X epsilon, but it's delta" means that the cost isn't totally
X negligible, but it is nevertheless very small. Compare `within
X delta of', `within epsilon of': that is, close to and even
X closer to.
X
Xdemented: adj. Yet another term of disgust used to describe a
X program. The connotation in this case is that the program works as
X designed, but the design is bad. For example, a program that
X generates large numbers of meaningless error messages implying it
X is on the point of imminent collapse.
X
Xdemigod: n. Hacker with years of experience, a national reputation,
X and a major role in the development of at least one design, tool,
X or game used by or known to more than half of the hacker community.
X To qualify as a genuine demigod, the person must recognizably
X identify with the hacker community and have helped shape it. Major
X demigods include Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie (co-inventors of
X {UNIX} and {C}) and Richard M. Stallman (inventor of
X {EMACS}). In their hearts of hearts, most hackers dream of
X someday becoming demigods themselves, and more than one major
X software project has been driven to completion by the author's
X veiled hopes of apotheosis. See also {net.god}, {true-hacker}.
X
Xdemo: /de'moh/ [short for `demonstration'] 1. v. To demonstrate a
X product or prototype. A far more effective way of inducing bugs to
X manifest than any number of {test} runs, especially when
X important people are watching. 2. n. The act of demoing.
X
Xdemo mode: [Sun] n. The state of being {heads down} in order to
X finish code in time for a {demo}, usually due yesterday.
X
Xdemon: n. 1. [MIT] A portion of a program which is not invoked
X explicitly, but which lies dormant waiting for some condition(s) to
X occur. See {daemon}. The distinction is that demons are usually
X processes within a program, while daemons are usually programs
X running on an operating system. Demons are particularly common in
X AI programs. For example, a knowledge-manipulation program might
X implement inference rules as demons. Whenever a new piece of
X knowledge was added, various demons would activate (which demons
X depends on the particular piece of data) and would create
X additional pieces of knowledge by applying their respective
X inference rules to the original piece. These new pieces could in
X turn activate more demons as the inferences filtered down through
X chains of logic. Meanwhile, the main program could continue with
X whatever its primary task was. 2. [outside MIT] Often used
X equivalently to {daemon}, especially in the {UNIX} world where the
X latter spelling and pronunciation is considered mildly archaic.
X
Xdepeditate: /dee-ped'@-tayt/ [by analogy with `decapitate'] vt.
X Humorously, to cut off the feet of. When using some computer-aided
X phototypesetting tools, careless placement of text blocks within a
X page or above a rule can result in chopped-off letter descenders.
X Such letters are said to have been depeditated.
X
Xdeprecated: n. Said of a program or feature that is considered
X obsolescent and in the process of being phased out, usually in
X favor of a specified replacement. Deprecated features can,
X unfortunately, linger on for many years.
X
Xdeserves to lose: adj. Said of someone who willfully does the
X {Wrong Thing}; humorously, if one uses a feature known to be
X {marginal}. What is meant is that one deserves the consequences
X of one's {losing} actions. "Boy, anyone who tries to use
X {mess-dos} deserves to {lose}!" (ITS fans used to say this of
X UNIX; many still do.) See also {screw}, {chomp}, {bagbiter}.
X
Xdesk check: n.,v. To {grovel} over hardcopy of source code
X mentally simulating the control flow; a method of catching bugs.
X No longer common practice in this age of on-screen editing, fast
X compiles, and sophisticated debuggers, though some maintain stoutly
X that it ought to be. Compare {eyeball search}, {vdiff},
X {vgrep}.
X
Xdevo: /dee'voh/ [orig. in-house jargon at Symbolics] n. A person in a
X development group. See also {doco} and {mango}.
X
Xdickless workstation: n. Extremely pejorative hackerism for
X `diskless workstation', a class of botches including the Sun 3/50
X and other machines designed exclusively to network with an
X expensive central disk server. These combine all the disadvantages
X of time-sharing with all the disadvantages of distributed personal
X computers.
X
Xdiddle: 1. vt. To work with or modify in a not particularly
X serious manner. "I diddled a copy of {ADVENT} so it didn't
X double-space all the time." "Let's diddle this piece of code and
X see if the problem goes away." See {tweak} and {twiddle}.
X 2. n. The action or result of diddling. See also {tweak},
X {twiddle}, {frob}.
X
Xdiff: n. 1. A change listing, especially giving differences between
X (and additions to) source code or documents (the term is often used
X in the plural `diffs'). "Send me your diffs for the Jargon
X File!" Compare {vdiff}. 2. Specifically, such a listing
X produced by the `diff(1)' command, esp. when used as
X specification input to the `patch(1)' utility (which can
X actually perform the modifications; see {patch}). This is a
X common method of distributing patches and source updates in the
X UNIX/C world. Se {diff}, {mod}.
X
Xdigit: /dij'it/ n. An employee of Digital Equipment Corporation.
X See also {VAX}, {VMS}, {PDP-10}, {TOPS-10}, {DEChead},
X {double DECkers}, {field circus}.
X
Xdike: vt. To remove or disable a portion of something, as a wire
X from a computer or a subroutine from a program. A standard slogan
X runs: "When in doubt, dike it out." (The implication is that it
X is usually more effective to attack software problems by reducing
X complexity rather than increasing it.) The word `dikes' is widely
X used among mechanics and engineers to mean `diagonal cutters', a
X heavy-duty metal-cutting device; to `dike something out' means to
X use such cutters to remove something. Among hackers this term has
X been metaphorically extended to informational objects such as
X sections of code.
X
Xding: /ding/ n.,vi. 1. Synonym for {feep}. Usage: rare among
X hackers, but commoner in the {Real World}. 2. `dinged': what
X happens when someone in authority gives you a minor bitching about
X something, esp. something you consider trivial. "I was dinged for
X having a messy desk".
X
Xdink: adj. Said of a machine which has the {bitty box} nature; a
X machine too small to be worth bothering with, sometimes the current
X system you're forced to work on. First heard from an MIT hacker
X (BADOB) working on a CP/M system with 64K in reference to any 6502
X system, then from fans of 32-bit architectures about 16-bit
X machines. "GNUMACS will never work on that dink machine."
X Probably derived from mainstream `dinky', which isn't sufficiently
X pejorative.
X
Xdinosaur: n. 1. Any hardware requiring raised flooring and special
X power. Used especially of old minis and mainframes when contrasted
X with newer microprocessor-based machines. In a famous quote from
X the '88 UNIX EXPO, Bill Joy compared the mainframe in the massive
X IBM display with a grazing dinosaur, "with a truck outside pumping
X its bodily fluids through it". IBM was not amused. Compare
X {big iron}; see also {mainframe}. 2. [IBM] A very conservative
X user; a {zipperhead}.
X
Xdinosaur pen: n. A traditional {mainframe} computer room complete with
X raised flooring, special power, its own ultra-heavy-duty air
X conditioning, and a side order of Halon fire extinguishers. See
X {boa}.
X
Xdinosaurs mating: n. Said to occur when yet another {big iron}
X merger or buyout occurs; reflects a perception by hackers that
X these signal another stage in the long-drawn-out death throes of
X the {mainframe} industry. In its glory days of the Sixties, it
X was `IBM and the Seven Dwarves': Burroughs, Control Data, General
X Electric, Honeywell, NCR, RCA, and Univac. RCA and GE sold out
X early and it was `IBM and the Bunch' (Burroughs, Univac, NCR,
X Control Data, and Honeywell) for a while. Honeywell was bought out
X by Bull; Burroughs merged with Univac to form Unisys (in 1984, this
X was when the phrase `dinosaurs mating' was coined), and at time of
X writing AT&T is attempting to recover from a disastrously bad first
X six years in the hardware industry after buying NCR. More such
X earth-shaking unions of doomed giants seem inevitable.
X
Xdirty power: n. Electrical mains voltage which is unfriendly to
X the delicate innards of computers. Spikes, {drop-outs}, average
X voltage significantly higher or lower than nominal, or just plain
X noise can all cause problems of varying subtlety and severity.
X
XDiscordianism: /dis-kor'di-@n-ism/ n. The veneration of {Eris}, aka
X Discordia; widely popular among hackers. Popularized by Robert
X Anton Wilson's `Illuminatus!' trilogy as a sort of self-subverting
X dada-Zen for Westerners --- it should on no account be taken
X seriously but is far more serious than most jokes. Usually
X connected with an elaborate conspiracy theory/joke involving
X millennia-long warfare between the anarcho-surrealist partisans of
X Eris and a malevolent, authoritarian secret society called the
X Illuminati. See Appendix B, {Church of the Sub-Genius}, and {ha ha
X only serious}.
X
Xdisk farm: n. (also {laundromat}) A large room or rooms filled
X with disk drives (esp. {washing machine}s).
X
Xdisplay hack: n. A program with the same approximate purpose as a
X kaleidoscope: to make pretty pictures. Famous display hacks
X include {munching squares}, {smoking clover}, the BSD UNIX
X `rain(6)' program, `worms(6)' on miscellaneous UNIXes,
X and the {X} kaleid program. Display hacks can also be
X implemented without programming by creating text files containing
X numerous escape sequences for interpretation by a video terminal;
X one notable example displayed, on any VT100, a Christmas tree with
X twinkling lights and a toy train circling its base. The {hack
X value} of a display hack is proportional to the esthetic value of
X the images times the cleverness of the algorithm divided by the
X size of the code. Syn. {psychedelicware}.
SHAR_EOF
true || echo 'restore of jargon.ascii failed'
fi
echo 'End of part 5, continue with part 6'
echo 6 > _shar_seq_.tmp
exit 0