eric@snark.thyrsus.com (Eric S. Raymond) (03/03/91)
Submitted-by: jargon@thyrsus.com
Archive-name: jargon/part03
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X trademarks such as NeXT, {NeWS}, VisiCalc, FrameMaker, TKsolver,
X EasyWriter and others which have been raised above the hoi polloi
X of common coinage by nonstandard capitalization. Too many
X {marketroid} types think this sort of thing is really cute, even
X the 2,317th time they do it. Compare {studlycaps}.
X
XBIFF: /bif/ [USENET] n. The most famous {pseudo}, and the
X prototypical {newbie}. Articles from BIFF are characterized by
X all upper case letters sprinkled liberally with bangs, typos,
X `cute' misspellings (EVRY BUDY LUVS GOOD OLD BIFF CUZ HE"S A K00L
X DOOD AN HE RITES REEL AWESUM THINGZ IN CAPITULL LETTRS LIKE
X THIS!!!), use (and often misuse) of fragments of {talk mode}
X abbreviations, a long {sig block} (sometimes even a {doubled
X sig}), and unbounded naivete. BIFF posts articles using his elder
X brother's VIC-20. BIFF's location is a mystery, as his articles
X appear to come from a variety of sites. However, BITNET seems to
X be the most frequent origin. The theory that BIFF is a denizen of
X BITNET is supported by BIFF's (unfortunately invalid) electronic
X mail address: BIFF@BIT.NET.
X
Xbiff: /bif/ vt. To notify someone of incoming mail; from the BSD
X utility `biff(1)' which was in turn named after the
X implementor's dog; it barked whenever the mailman came.
X
XBig Grey Wall: n. What greets a {VMS} user searching for
X documentation. A full VMS kit comes on a pallet, the documentation
X taking up around 15 feet of shelf space before adding layered
X products such as compilers, databases, multivendor networking,
X programming tools, etc. Recent (since VMS V5) DEC documentation
X comes with grey binders; under VMS V4 the binders were orange
X (`big orange wall'), and under V3 they were blue. See {VMS}.
X
Xbig iron: n. Large, expensive, ultra-fast computers. Used generally
X of {number-crunching} supercomputers such as Crays, but can include
X more conventional big commercial IBMish mainframes. Term of
X approval; compare {heavy metal}, oppose {dinosaur}.
X
XBig Red Switch: [IBM] n. The power switch on a computer, esp. the
X `Emergency Pull' switch on an IBM {mainframe} or the power switch
X on an IBM-PC where it really is large and red. "This !@%$%
X {bitty box} is hung again; time to hit the Big Red Switch."
X Sources at IBM report that, in tune with the company's passion for
X {TLA}s, this is often acronymized as `BRS' (this has also
X become established on FidoNet and in the PC {clone} world). It
X is alleged that the emergency pull switch on an IBM 360/91 actually
X fired a non-conducting bolt into the main power feed; the BRSes on
X more recent machines physically drop a block into place so that
X they can't be pushed back in. People get fired for pulling them,
X especially inappropriately (see also {molly-guard}). Compare
X {power cycle}, {three-finger salute}.
X
Xbig win: n. Serendipity. To `win big' is to experience
X serendipity. "I went shopping and won big; there was a
X two-for-one sale." See {win}.
X
Xbig-endian: [From Swift's `Gulliver's Travels' via a famous
X paper `On Holy Wars and a Plea for Peace' by Danny Cohen,
X USC/ISI IEN 137 dated 1 April 1980] 1. adj. Describes a computer
X architecture in which, within a given multi-byte numeric
X representation, the most significant byte comes first (the word is
X stored `big-end-first'). Most processors including the IBM 370
X family and the {PDP-10} and Motorola microprocessor families and
X most of the various RISC designs current in mid-1991 are
X big-endian. See {little-endian}, {middle-endian}, {NUXI
X problem}. 2. adj. An {{Internet address}} the wrong way round.
X Most of the world follows the Internet standard and writes email
X addresses starting with the name of the computer and ending up with
X the name of the country. In the UK the Joint Networking Team
X decided to do it the other way round; e.g. `me@uk.ac.wigan.cs'.
X Most gateway sites have {ad-hockery} in their mailers to handle
X this, but can still be confused. In particular the address above
X could be in the UK (code `uk') or Czechoslovakia (code `cs').
X
Xbignum: /big'nuhm/ [orig. from MIT MacLISP] n. 1. [techspeak] A
X multiple-precision computer representation for very large integers.
X More generally, any very large number. "Have you ever looked at
X the United States Budget? There's bignums for you!" 2.
X [Stanford] n. In backgammon, large numbers on the dice are called
X `bignums', especially a roll of double fives or double sixes.
X See also {El Camino Bignum}.
X
X Sense #1 may require some explanation. Most computer languages
X provide a kind of data called `integer', but such computer integers
X are usually very limited in size; usually they must be smaller than
X 2 ^ 31 (2,147,483,648) or (on a losing {bitty box}) 2 ^ 15
X (32,768). If you want to work with numbers larger than that, you
X have to use floating-point numbers, which are usually accurate to
X only six or seven decimal places. Computer languages that provide
X bignums can perform exact calculations on very large numbers, such
X as 1000! (the factorial of 1000, which is 1000 times 999 times 998
X times ... times 2 times 1). For example, this value for 1000!
X was computed by the MacLISP system using bignums:
X
X 40238726007709377354370243392300398571937486421071
X 46325437999104299385123986290205920442084869694048
X 00479988610197196058631666872994808558901323829669
X 94459099742450408707375991882362772718873251977950
X 59509952761208749754624970436014182780946464962910
X 56393887437886487337119181045825783647849977012476
X 63288983595573543251318532395846307555740911426241
X 74743493475534286465766116677973966688202912073791
X 43853719588249808126867838374559731746136085379534
X 52422158659320192809087829730843139284440328123155
X 86110369768013573042161687476096758713483120254785
X 89320767169132448426236131412508780208000261683151
X 02734182797770478463586817016436502415369139828126
X 48102130927612448963599287051149649754199093422215
X 66832572080821333186116811553615836546984046708975
X 60290095053761647584772842188967964624494516076535
X 34081989013854424879849599533191017233555566021394
X 50399736280750137837615307127761926849034352625200
X 01588853514733161170210396817592151090778801939317
X 81141945452572238655414610628921879602238389714760
X 88506276862967146674697562911234082439208160153780
X 88989396451826324367161676217916890977991190375403
X 12746222899880051954444142820121873617459926429565
X 81746628302955570299024324153181617210465832036786
X 90611726015878352075151628422554026517048330422614
X 39742869330616908979684825901254583271682264580665
X 26769958652682272807075781391858178889652208164348
X 34482599326604336766017699961283186078838615027946
X 59551311565520360939881806121385586003014356945272
X 24206344631797460594682573103790084024432438465657
X 24501440282188525247093519062092902313649327349756
X 55139587205596542287497740114133469627154228458623
X 77387538230483865688976461927383814900140767310446
X 64025989949022222176590433990188601856652648506179
X 97023561938970178600408118897299183110211712298459
X 01641921068884387121855646124960798722908519296819
X 37238864261483965738229112312502418664935314397013
X 74285319266498753372189406942814341185201580141233
X 44828015051399694290153483077644569099073152433278
X 28826986460278986432113908350621709500259738986355
X 42771967428222487575867657523442202075736305694988
X 25087968928162753848863396909959826280956121450994
X 87170124451646126037902930912088908694202851064018
X 21543994571568059418727489980942547421735824010636
X 77404595741785160829230135358081840096996372524230
X 56085590370062427124341690900415369010593398383577
X 79394109700277534720000000000000000000000000000000
X 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
X 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
X 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
X 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
X 000000000000000000.
X
Xbigot: n. A person who is religiously attached to a particular
X computer, language, operating system, editor or other tool (see
X {religious issues}). Usually found with a specifier; thus,
X `cray bigot', `APL bigot', `VMS bigot', `EMACS
X bigot'. True bigots can be distinguished from mere partisans or
X zealots by the fact that they refuse to learn alternatives even
X when the march of time and/or technology is threatening to
X obsolesce the favored tool. It is said "You can tell a bigot, but
X you can't tell him much." Compare {weenie}.
X
Xbit: [from the mainstream meaning and `binary digit'] n. 1.
X [techspeak] The unit of information; the amount of information
X obtained by asking a yes-or-no question for which the two outcomes
X are equally probable 2. [techspeak] A computational quantity that
X can take on one of two values, such as true and false, or zero and
X one. 3. A mental flag: a reminder that something should be done
X eventually. Example: "I have a bit set for you." (I haven't seen
X you for a while, and I'm supposed to tell or ask you something.)
X
X "I just need one bit from you" is a polite way of indicating that
X you intend only a short interruption for a question which can
X presumably be answered with a yes or no.
X
X A bit is said to be `set' if its value is true or one, and
X `reset' or `clear' if its value is false or zero. One
X speaks of setting and clearing bits. To `toggle' or
X `invert' a bit is to change it, either from zero to one or from
X one to zero. See also {flag}, {trit}, {mode bit}.
X
Xbit bang: n. Transmission of data on a serial line, when accomplished by
X rapidly tweaking a single output bit at the appropriate times
X (popular on certain early models of Prime computers, presumably
X when UARTs were too expensive, and on archaic Z80 micros with a
X Zilog PIO but no SIO). The technique is a simple loop with eight
X OUT and SHIFT instruction pairs for each byte. Input is more
X interesting. And full duplex (doing input and output at the same
X time) is one way to separate the real hackers from the {wannabee}s.
X
Xbit bashing: n. (also, `bit diddling' or `bit twiddling') Term
X used to describe any of several kinds of low-level programming
X characterized by manipulation of {bit}, {flag}, {nybble} and other
X smaller-than-character-sized pieces of data: these include
X low-level device control, encryption algorithms, checksum and
X error-correcting codes, hash functions, some flavors of graphics
X programming (see {bitblt}), and assembler/compiler code generation.
X May connote either tedium or a real technical challenge (more
X usually the former). "The command decoding for the new tape
X driver looks pretty solid but the bit-bashing for the control
X registers still has bugs." See also {bit bang}, {mode bit}.
X
Xbit bucket: n. The universal data sink (originally, the mythical
X receptacle used to catch bits when they fall off the end of a
X register during a shift instruction). Data that is discarded,
X lost, or destroyed is said to `go to the bit bucket'. On {UNIX},
X often used for {/dev/null}. Sometimes amplified as `the Great Bit
X Bucket in the Sky'. This term is used purely in jest. It's based
X on the fanciful notion that bits are objects that are not
X destroyed, but only misplaced. This appears to have been a
X mutation of an earlier term `bit box', about which the same
X legend was current; old-time hackers also report that trainees used
X to be told that when the CPU stored bits into memory it was
X actually pulling them "out of the bit box". See also {chad box},
X {null device}.
X
Xbit decay: n. See {bit rot}. People with a physics background
X tend to prefer this one for the analogy with particle decay. See
X also {computron}, {quantum bogodynamics}.
X
Xbit rot: n. Also {bit decay}. Hypothetical disease the existence
X of which has been deduced from the observation that unused programs
X or features will often stop working after sufficient time has
X passed, even if `nothing has changed'. The theory explains that
X bits decay as if they were radioactive. As time passes, the
X contents of a file or the code in a program will become
X increasingly garbled.
X
X There actually are physical processes that produce such effects
X (alpha particles generated by trace radionuclides in ceramic chip
X packages, for example, can change the contents of a computer memory
X unpredictably, and various kinds of subtle media failures can
X corrupt files in mass storage) but they are quite rare (and
X computers are built with error-detecting circuitry to compensate
X for them). The notion long favored among hackers that {cosmic
X rays} are among the causes of such events turns out however to be a
X myth; see the {cosmic rays} entry.
X
X The term {software rot} is almost synonymous.
X
Xbit-paired keyboard: n. obs. A non-standard keyboard layout which
X seems to have originated with the Teletype ASR-33 and remained
X common for several years on early computer equipment. The ASR-33
X was a mechanical device (see {EOU}), so the only way to generate
X the character codes from keystrokes was by some physical linkage.
X The design of the ASR-33 assigned each character key a basic
X pattern which could be modified by flipping bits if the SHIFT or
X CTRL key were pressed. In order to avoid making the thing more of
X a Rube Goldberg kluge than it already was, the design had to group
X characters which shared the same basic bit pattern on one key.
X
X Looking at the ASCII chart, we find:
X
X 3 high 4 low bits
X bits 0000 0001 0010 0011 0100 0101 0110 0111 1000 1001
X 010 space ! " # $ % & ' ( )
X 011 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
X
X That's why the characters !"#$%&'() appear where they do on a
X Teletype. This was *not* the weirdest variant of the
X {QWERTY} layout widely seen, by the way; that prize should
X probably go to one of the (differing) arrangements on IBM's even
X clunkier 026 and 029 card punches.
X
X When electronic terminals became popular in the early 1970s there
X was no agreement in the industry over how the keyboards should be
X laid out. Some vendors opted to emulate the Teletype keyboard,
X while others used the flexibility of electronic circuitry to make
X their product look like an office typewriter. These alternatives
X became known as `bit-paired' and `typewriter-paired' keyboards. To
X a hacker, the bit-paired keyboard seemed far more logical --- and
X because most hackers in those days had never learned to touch-type,
X there was little pressure from the pioneering users to adapt
X keyboards to the typewriter standard.
X
X The doom of the bit-paired keyboard was the large-scale
X introduction of the computer terminal into the normal office
X environment, where out-and-out technophobes were expected to use
X the equipment. The `typewriter-paired' standard became universal,
X `bit-paired' hardware was quickly junked or relegated to dusty
X corners, and both terms passed into disuse.
X
Xbitblt: /bit'blit/ n. [from {BLT}, q.v.] 1. Any of a closely
X related family of algorithms for moving and copying rectangles of
X bits between main and display memory on a bit-mapped device, or
X between two areas of either main or display memory (the requirement
X to do the {Right Thing} in the case of overlapping source and
X destination rectangles is what makes BitBlt tricky). 2. Synonym
X for {blit} or {BLT}. Both uses are borderline techspeak.
X
Xbits: n. 1. Information. Examples: "I need some bits about file
X formats." ("I need to know about file formats.") Compare {core
X dump}, sense #4. 2. Machine-readable representation of a document,
X specifically as contrasted with paper. "I have only a photocopy
X of the Jargon File; does anyone know where I can get the bits?".
X See {softcopy}, {source of all good bits}.
X
Xbitty box: /bit'ee boks/ n. 1. A computer sufficiently small,
X primitive, or incapable as to cause a hacker acute claustrophobia
X at the thought of developing for it. Especially used of small,
X obsolescent, single-tasking-only personal machines like the Atari
X 800, Osborne, Sinclair, VIC-20, TRS-80, or IBM PC. 2. Pejorative.
X More generally, the opposite of `real computer' (see {Get a real
X computer!}). See also {mess-dos}, {toaster}, and {toy}.
X
Xbixie: /biks'ee/ n. Variant {emoticon}s used on BIX (the Byte
X Information Exchange). The `smiley' bixie is <@_@>, apparently
X intending to represent two cartoon eyes and a mouth. A few others
X have been reported.
X
Xblack art: n. A collection of arcane, unpublished, and (by
X implication) mostly ad-hoc techniques developed for a particular
X application or systems area. VLSI design and compiler code
X optimization were (in their beginnings) considered classic examples
X of black art; as theory developed they became {deep magic}, and
X once standard textbooks had been written became merely {heavy
X wizardry}. The huge proliferation of formal and informal channels
X for spreading around new computer-related technologies during the
X last twenty years has made both the term `black art' and what it
X describes less common than formerly. See also {voodoo
X programming}.
X
Xblack hole: n. When a piece of email or netnews disappears
X mysteriously between its origin and destination sites (that is,
X without returning a {bounce message}) it is commonly said to have
X "fallen into a black hole". Similarly, one might say "I think
X there's a black hole at foovax!" to convey suspicion that site
X foovax has been dropping a lot of stuff on the floor lately (see
X {drop on the floor}). The implied metaphor of email as
X interstellar travel is interesting in itself. Compare {bit
X bucket}.
X
Xblast: 1. vt.,n. Synonym for {BLT}, used esp. for large data
X sends over a network or comm line. Opposite of {snarf}. Usage:
X uncommon. The variant `blat' has been reported. 2. vt.
X [HP/Apollo] Synonymous with {nuke} (sense #3). Sometimes the
X message "Unable to kill all processes. Blast them (y/n)?" would
X appear in the command window upon logout.
X
Xblazer: n. (also `'blazer') Nickname for the Telebit Trailblazer,
X an expensive but extremely reliable and effective high-speed modem,
X popular at UNIX sites that pass large volumes of {email} and
X {USENET} news.
X
Xbletch: /blech/ [from Yiddish/German `brechen', to vomit, poss.
X via comic-strip exclamation `blech'] interj. Term of disgust.
X Often in "Ugh, bletch". Compare {barf}.
X
Xbletcherous: /blech'@-rus/ adj. Disgusting in design or function;
X esthetically unappealing. This word is seldom used of people.
X "This keyboard is bletcherous!" (Perhaps the keys don't work very
X well, or are misplaced). See {losing}, {cretinous}, {bagbiter},
X {bogus}, and {random}. {bletcherous} applies to the esthetics of
X the thing so described; similarly for {cretinous}. By contrast,
X something that is {losing} or {cretinous} may be failing to meet
X objective criteria. See {bogus} and {random}, which have richer
X and wider shades of meaning than any of the above.
X
Xblinkenlights: /blink'@n-lietz/ n. Front-panel diagnostic lights
X on a computer, esp. a {dinosaur}. Derives from the last word of
X the famous blackletter-Gothic "ACHTUNG! ALLES LOOKENSPEEPERS!"
X notice in mangled pseudo-German that once graced about half the
X computer rooms in the English-speaking world. The sign in its
X entirety ran:
X
X ACHTUNG! ALLES LOOKENSPEEPERS
X Das computermachine ist nicht fur gefingerpoken und mittengrabben.
X Ist easy schnappen der springenwerk, blowenfusen und poppencorken
X mit spitzensparken. Ist nicht fur gewerken bei das dumpkopfen.
X Das rubbernecken sichtseeren keepen hans in das pockets muss;
X relaxen und watchen das blinkenlichten.
X
X This silliness dates back at least as far as 1959 at Stanford
X University and had already gone international by the early '60s,
X when it was reported at London University's ATLAS computing site.
X There are several variants of it in circulation, some of which
X actually do end with the word `blinkenlights'. It is reported, by
X the way, that an analogous travesty in mangled English is posted in
X German computer laboratories.
X
Xblit: /blit/ vt. 1. To copy a large array of bits from one part of
X a computer's memory to another part, particularly when the memory
X is being used to determine what is shown on a display screen.
X "The storage allocator picks through the table and copies the good
X parts up into high memory, and at the end {blit}s it all back
X down again." See {bitblt}, {BLT}, {dd}, {cat}, {blast},
X {snarf}. More generally, to perform some operation (such as
X toggling) on a large array of bits while moving them. 2.
X All-capitalized as `BLIT': An early experimental bit-mapped
X terminal designed by Rob Pike at Bell Labs, later commercialized as
X the AT&T 5620. The folk etymology from `Bell Labs Intelligent
X Terminal' is incorrect.
X
Xblitter: n. A special-purpose chip or hardware system built to
X perform {blit} operations, esp. used for fast implementation of
X bit-mapped graphics. The Commodore Amiga and a few other micros
X have these, but in 1991 the trend is away from them (however, see
X {cycle of reincarnation}).
X
Xblivet: [allegedly from a World War II military term meaning "ten
X pounds of manure in a five-pound bag"] n. 1. An intractable
X problem. 2. A crucial piece of hardware which can't be fixed or
X replaced if it breaks. 3. A tool that has been hacked over by so
X many incompetent programmers that it has become an unmaintainable
X tissue of hacks. 4. An out-of-control but unkillable development
X effort.
X
X This term has other meanings in other technical cultures; in
X particular, among experimental physicists and hardware engineers of
X various kinds it seems to mean any random object of unknown purpose
X (similar to hackish use of {frob}). It has also been used to
X describe an amusing trick-the-eye drawing resembling a
X three-pronged fork which appears to depict a three-dimensional
X object until one realizes that the parts fit together in an
X impossible way.
X
Xblock: [from process scheduling terminology in OS theory] 1. vi.
X To delay or sit idle while waiting for something. "We're blocking
X until everyone gets here." Compare {busy-wait}. 2. `block
X on' vt. To block, waiting for (something). "Lunch is blocked on
X Phil's arrival."
X
Xblock transfer computations: n. From the Dr. Who television series:
X in the show, it referred to computations so fiendishly subtle and
X complex that they could not be performed by machines. Used to
X refer to any task that should be expressible as an algorithm in
X theory, but isn't.
X
Xblow an EPROM: v. To program a read-only memory, e.g. for use with
X an embedded system. This term arises because the programming
X process involves intentionally blowing tiny electrical fuses on the
X chip.
X
Xblow away: vt. To remove files and directories from permanent storage
X with extreme prejudice, generally by accident. Oppose {nuke}.
X
Xblow out: vi. Of software, to fail spectacularly; almost as serious
X as {crash and burn}. See {blow past}.
X
Xblow past: vt. To {blow out} despite a safeguard. "The server blew
X past the 5K reserve buffer."
X
Xblow up: vi. [scientific computation] To become unstable. Suggests
X that the computation is diverging so rapidly that it will soon
X overflow or at least go {nonlinear}.
X
XBLT: /bee ell tee/, /bl@t/ or (rarely) /belt/ n.,vt. Synonym
X for {blit}. This is the original form of {blit} and the
X ancestor of {bitblt}. In these versions the usage has outlasted
X the {PDP-10} BLock Transfer instruction from which {BLT}
X derives; nowadays, the assembler mnemonic {BLT} almost always
X means `Branch if Less Than zero'.
X
XBlue Book: n. 1. Informal name for one of the three standard
X references on the page-layout and graphics-control language
X PostScript (`PostScript Language Tutorial and Cookbook', Adobe
X Systems, Addison-Wesley 1985, QA76.73.P67P68, ISBN 0-201-10179-3);
X the other two official guides are known as the {Green Book} and
X {Red Book}. 2. Informal name for one of the three standard
X references on Smalltalk: `Smalltalk-80: The Language and its
X Implementation', David Robson, Addison-Wesley 1983, QA76.8.S635G64,
X ISBN 0-201-11371-63 (this is also associated with green and red
X books). 3. Any of the 1988 standards issues by the CCITT 9th
X plenary assembly. Until now, they have changed color each review
X cycle (1984 was {Red Book}, 1992 would be {Green Book}); however,
X it is rumored that this convention is going to be dropped before
X 1992. These include, among other things, the X.400 email spec and
X the Group 1 through 4 fax standards. See also {{book titles}}.
X
XBlue Glue: [IBM] n. IBM's SNA (Systems Network Architecture) an
X incredibly {losing} and {bletcherous} protocol suite widely
X favored at commercial shops that don't know any better. The
X official IBM definition is "That which binds blue boxes
X together." See {fear and loathing}. It may not be irrelevant
X that {Blue Glue} is the trade name of a 3M product that is
X commonly used to hold down the carpet squares to the removable
X panel floors so common in computer installations. A correspondent
X at U. Minn. reports that the CS dept. there has about 80 bottles of
X Blue Glue hanging about, so they often refer to any messy work to
X be done as `using the blue glue'.
X
Xblue goo: n. Term for `police' {nanobot}s intended to prevent {gray
X goo}, denature hazardous waste, destroy pollution, put ozone back
X into the stratosphere, prevent halitosis, and to promote truth,
X justice, and the American way, etc., etc. See {{nanotechnology}}.
X
XBNF: /bee-en-ef/ n. 1. [techspeak] Acronym for `Backus-Naur
X Form', a metasyntactic notation used to specify the syntax of
X programming languages, command sets and the like. Widely used for
X language descriptions but seldom documented anywhere, so that it
X must usually be learned by osmosis from other hackers. Consider
X this BNF for a postal address:
X
X <postal-address> ::= <name-part> <street-address> <zip-part>
X
X <name-part> ::= <first-name> [<middle-part>] <last-name> <EOL>
X
X <middle-part> ::= <middle-name> | <middle-initial> "."
X
X <street-address> ::= [<apt>] <street-number> <street-name> <EOL>
X
X <zip-part> ::= <town-name> "," <state-code> <zip-code> <EOL>
X
X This translates into English as: A postal-address consists of a
X name-part, followed by a street-address part, followed by a
X zip-code part. A name-part consists of a first-name followed by an
X optional middle-part followed by a last-name. A middle-part
X consists of either a middle name or a middle initial followed by a
X dot. A street address consists of an optional apartment specifier
X followed by a street number, followed by a street name. A zip-part
X consts of a town-name, followed by a state code, followed by a
X zip-code. Note that many things such as the format of a
X first-name, apartment specifier, or zip-code are left unspecified.
X These are presumed to be obvious from context or detailed somewhere
X nearby. See also {parse}.
X
X A major reason BNF is listed here is that the term is also used
X loosely for any number of variants and extensions, possibly
X containing some or all of the {glob} wildcards. In fact the
X example above isn't the pure form invented for the Algol-60 report;
X it uses [], which was introduced a few years later in IBM's PL/1
X definition but is now universally recognized.
X
X 2. In {{Science-Fiction Fandom}}, BNF expands to `Big Name Fan'
X (someone famous or notorious). Years ago a fan started handing out
X black-on-green BNF buttons at SF conventions. This confused the
X hacker contingent terribly.
X
Xboa: [IBM] n. Any one of the fat cables that lurk under the floor
X in a {dinosaur pen}. Possibly so called because they display a
X ferocious life of their own when you try to lay them straight and
X flat after they have been coiled for some time. It is rumored
X within IBM that 370 channel cables are limited to 200 feet because
X beyond that length the boas get dangerous ... and it is worth
X noting that one of the major cable makers uses the trademark
X `Anaconda'.
X
Xboard: n. 1. In-context synonym for {bboard}; sometimes used
X even for USENET newsgroups. 2. An electronic circuit board
X (compare {card}).
X
Xboat anchor: n. 1. Like {doorstop} but more severe; implies that the
X offending hardware is irreversibly dead or useless. 2. Also used
X of people who just take up space.
X
Xbogo-sort: n. The archetypical perversely awful algorithm (as
X opposed to {bubble sort}, which is merely the generic *bad*
X algorithm). Bogo-sort is equivalent to throwing a deck of cards in
X the air, picking them up, then testing whether they are in order.
X If not, repeat. Used as a sort of canonical example of awfulness.
X Usage: when one is looking at a program and sees a dumb algorithm,
X one might say "Oh, I see, this program uses bogo-sort." Compare
X {bogus}, {brute force}.
X
Xbogometer: n. See {bogosity}. Compare the `wankometer' described
X in the {wank} entry.
X
Xbogon: /boh'gon/ [by analogy with proton/electron/neutron, but
X doubtless reinforced after 1980 by the similarity to Douglas
X Adams's `Vogons', see Appendix C] n. 1. The elementary particle of
X bogosity (see {quantum bogodynamics}). For instance, "the
X Ethernet is emitting bogons again", meaning that it is broken or
X acting in an erratic or bogus fashion. 2. A query packet sent from
X a TCP/IP domain resolver to a root server, having the reply bit set
X instead of the query bit. 3. Any bogus or incorrectly formed
X packet sent on a network. 4. By synecdoche, used to refer to any
X bogus thing, as in "I'd like to go to lunch with you but I've got
X to go to the weekly staff bogon." 5. A person who is bogus or who
X says bogus things. This was historically the original usage, but
X has been overtaken by its derivative senses 1-4.
X
Xbogon filter: /boh'gon fil'tr/ n. Any device, software or hardware,
X which limits or suppresses the flow and/or emission of bogons.
X Example: "Engineering hacked a bogon filter between the Cray and
X the VAXen and now we're getting fewer dropped packets."
X
Xbogosity: /boh-go's@-tee/ n. 1. The degree to which something is
X {bogus}. At CMU, bogosity is measured with a {bogometer};
X typical use: in a seminar, when a speaker says something bogus, a
X listener might raise his hand and say, "My bogometer just
X triggered.". More extremely, "You just pinned my bogometer."
X means you just said or did something so outrageously bogus that it
X is off the scale, pinning the bogometer needle at the highest
X possible reading (one might also say "You just redlined my
X bogometer."). The agreed-upon unit of bogosity is the microLenat
X (uL). The consensus is that this is the largest unit practical for
X everyday use. 2. The potential field generated by a bogon flux;
X see {quantum bogodynamics}.
X
X [Historical note: microLenat was invented as a attack against noted
X computer scientist Doug Lenat by a {tenured graduate student}.
X Doug had failed him on the AI Qual after the student gave "AI is
X bogus" as his answer to the questions. The slur is generally
X considered unmerited, but it has become a running gag nevertheless.
X Some of Doug's friends argue that `of course' a microLenat is
X bogus, since it's only one millionth of a Lenat. Others have
X suggested that the unit should be re-designated after the grad
X student, as the microReid.]
X
Xbogotify: /boh-go't@-fie/ vt. To make or become bogus. A program
X that has been changed so many times as to become completely
X disorganized has become bogotified. If you tighten a nut too hard
X and strip the threads on the bolt, the bolt has become bogotified
X and you'd better not use it any more. This coinage led to the
X notional `autobogotiphobia' /aw'to-boh-got'@-foh`bee-uh/ n.,
X defined as the fear of becoming bogotified; but is not clear that
X the latter has ever been `live' jargon rather than a self-conscious
X joke in jargon about jargon.
X
Xbogue out: /bohg owt/ vi. To become bogus, suddenly and
X unexpectedly. "His talk was relatively sane until somebody asked
X him a trick question; then he bogued out and did nothing but
X {flame} afterwards."
X
Xbogus: adj. 1. Non-functional. "Your patches
X are bogus." 2. Useless. "OPCON is a bogus program." 3.
X False. "Your arguments are bogus." 4. Incorrect. "That
X algorithm is bogus." 5. Unbelievable. "You claim to have solved
X the halting problem for Turing Machines? That's totally bogus."
X 6. Silly. "Stop writing those bogus sagas." Astrology is bogus.
X So is a bolt that is obviously about to break. So is someone who
X makes blatantly false claims to have solved a scientific problem.
X (This word seems to have some, but not all, of the connotations of
X {random}.)
X
X It is claimed that `bogus' was originally used in the hackish sense
X at Princeton, in the late 1960s. It was spread to CMU and Yale by
X Michal Shamos, a migratory Princeton alumnus. A glossary of bogus
X words was compiled at Yale when the word was first popularized (see
X {autobogotiphobia} under {bogotify}). The word spread into
X hackerdom from CMU and MIT. By the early 1980s, it was also
X current in something like the hackish sense in West Coast teen
X slang, and it had gone mainstream by 1985. A correspondent at
X Cambridge reports, by contrast, that these uses of `bogus' grate on
X British nerves; in Britain the word means rather specifically
X `counterfeit' as in "a bogus pound note".
X
XBohr bug: /bohr buhg/ [from quantum physics] n. A repeatable {bug};
X one which manifests reliably under a possibly unknown but
X well-defined set of conditions. Antonym of {heisenbug}.
X
Xboink: /boynk/ [USENET, perh. from the TV series
X `Moonlighting'] 1. To have sex with; compare {bounce},
X sense #3. (This is mainstream slang.) In Commonwealth hackish the
X variant `bonk' is more common. 2. After the original Peter
X Korn `Boinkon' {USENET} parties, used for almost any net social
X gathering, e.g. Miniboink, a small boink held by Nancy Gillett in
X 1988; Minniboink, a Boinkcon in Minnesota in 1989; Humpdayboinks,
X Wednesday get-togethers held in the San Francisco Bay Area.
X Compare {@-party}.
X
Xbomb: 1. v. General synonym for {crash} (sense #1), esp. used
X of software or OS failures. "Don't run Empire with less than 32K
X stack, it'll bomb out." 2. n.,v. Atari ST and Macintosh
X equivalents of a UNIX `panic' or Amiga {guru} (sense 2),
X where icons of little black-powder bombs or mushroom clouds are
X displayed indicating the system has died. On the Mac, this may be
X accompanied by a decimal (or occasionally hexadecimal) number
X indicating what went wrong, similar to the Amiga GURU MEDITATION
X number (see {guru}). {MS-DOS} machines tend to get {locked
X up} in this situation.
X
Xbondage-and-discipline language: A language such as Pascal, Ada,
X APL, or Prolog that, though ostensibly general-purpose, is designed
X so as to enforce an author's theory of `right programming' even
X though said theory is demonstrably inadequate for systems hacking
X or even vanilla general-purpose programming. Often abbreviated
X `B&D'; thus, one may speak of things "having the B&D nature", etc.
X See {{Pascal}}; oppose {languages of choice}.
X
Xbonk/oif: /bonk/, /oyf/ interj. In the {MUD} community, it has
X become traditional to express pique or censure by `bonking' the
X offending person. There is a convention that one should
X acknowledge a bonk by saying `oif!' and a myth to the effect that
X failing to do so upsets the cosmic bonk/oif balance, causing much
X trouble in the universe. Some MUDs have implemented special
X commands for bonking and oifing. See also {talk mode},
X {posing}.
X
Xbook titles:: There is a tradition in hackerdom of informally
X tagging important textbooks and standards documents with the
X dominant color of their covers or with some other conspicuous
X feature of the cover. Many of these are described in this lexicon
X under their own entries.
X
X See also {Blue Book}, {Red Book}, {Green Book}, {Silver
X Book}, {Purple Book}, {Orange Book}, {White Book}, {Yellow
X Book}, {Pink-Shirt Book}, {Aluminum Book}, {Dragon Book},
X {Wizard Book}, {Cinderella Book}.
X
Xboot: [techspeak; from `by one's bootstraps'] v.,n. To load and
X initialize the operating system on a machine. This usage is no
X longer jargon but has given rise to some derivatives which still
X are.
X
X The derivative `reboot' implies that the machine hasn't been
X down for long, even that the boot is a {bounce} intended to clear
X some state of {wedgitude}. This is sometimes used of human
X thought processes, as in the following exchange: "You've lost
X me." "O.K., reboot. Here's the theory...."
X
X Also found in the variants `cold boot' (from power-off condition)
X and `warm boot' (with the CPU and all devices already powered up,
X as after a hardware reset or software crash).
X
X Another variant: `soft boot', re-initialization of only part of a
X system, under control of other software that's still running: "If
X you're running the {mess-dos} emulator, control-alt-insert will
X cause a soft-boot of the emulator, while leaving the rest of the
X system running."
X
X Opposed to this there is `hard boot', which connotes hostility
X towards or frustration with the machine being booted. "I'll have
X to hard-boot this losing Sun" or "I recommend booting it hard."
X
X Historical note: this term derives from `bootstrap loader', a short
X program which was read in from cards or paper tape, or toggled in
X from the front panel switches. This program was always very short
X (great efforts were expended on making it short in order to
X minimize the labor and chance of error involved in toggling it in),
X but was just smart enough to read in a slightly more complex
X program (usually from a card or paper tape reader), to which it
X handed control; this program in turn was smart enough to read the
X application or operating system from a magnetic tape drive or disk
X drive. Thus, in successive steps, the computer "pulled itself up
X by its bootstraps" to a useful operating state. Nowadays the
X bootstrap is usually found in ROM or EPROM, and reads the first
X stage in from a fixed location on the disk, called the `boot
X block'. When this program gains control, it is powerful enough to
X load the actual OS and hand control over to it.
X
Xbottom-up implementation: n. Hackish opposite of the techspeak term
X `top-down design'. It is now received wisdom in most
X programming cultures that it is best to design from higher levels
X of abstraction down to lower, specifying sequences of action in
X increasing detail until you get to actual code. Hackers often find
X (especially in exploratory designs which cannot be closely
X specified in advance) that it works best to `build' things in
X the opposite order, by writing and testing a clean set of primitive
X operations and then knitting them together.
X
Xbounce: v. 1. [UNIX, perhaps from the image of a thrown ball
X bouncing off a wall] An electronic mail message which is
X undeliverable and returns an error notification to the sender is
X said to `bounce'. See also {bounce message}. 2. [Stanford] To
X play volleyball. At one time there was a volleyball court next to
X the computer laboratory. From 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM was the scheduled
X maintenance time for the computer, so every afternoon at 5:00 the
X computer would become unavailable, and over the intercom a voice
X would cry , "Bounce, bounce!" 3. To engage in sexual
X intercourse; prob. from the expression `bouncing the mattress', but
X influenced by Piglet's psychosexually loaded "Bounce on me too,
X Tigger!" from the Winnie-the-Pooh books. Compare {boink}. 4.
X To casually reboot a system in order to clear up a transient
X problem. Reported primarily among {VMS} users. 5. [IBM] To
X {power cycle} a peripheral in order to reset it.
X
Xbounce message: [UNIX] n. Notification message returned to sender by
X a site unable to relay {email} to the intended {{Internet address}}
X recipient or the next link in a {bang path} (see {bounce}).
X Reasons might include a nonexistent or misspelled username or a
X down relay site. Bounce messages can themselves fail, with
X occasionally ugly results; see {sorcerer's apprentice mode}.
X The collective `bounce mail' is also common.
X
Xbox: n. 1. [within IBM] A computer; esp. in the construction "foo
X box" where foo is some functional qualifier, like `graphics', or
X the name of an OS (thus, `UNIX box', `MS-DOS box', etc. 2.
X Without qualification but within an SNA-using site (see {Blue
X Glue}), this refers specifically to an IBM front-end processor or
X FEP /eff-ee-pee/. An FEP is a small computer necessary to enable
X an IBM {mainframe} to communicate beyond the limits of the
X {dinosaur pen}. Typically used in expressions like the cry that
X goes up when an SNA network goes down, "Looks like the {box} has
X fallen over." (see {fall over}.) See also {IBM}, {fear and
X loathing}, {Blue Glue}.
X
Xboxed comments: n. Comments (explanatory notes in code) which occupy
X several lines by themselves; so called because in assembler and C
X code they are often surrounded by a box in a style something like
X this:
X
X /*************************************************
X *
X * This is a boxed comment in C style
X *
X *************************************************/
X
X Common variants of this style omit the asterisks in column two or
X add a matching row of asterisks closing the right end of the box.
X The sparest variant omits all but the comment delimiters at
X the extreme left; the `box' is implied. Oppose {winged
X comments}.
X
Xboxen: /bok'sn/ [by analogy with {VAXen}] pl.n. Fanciful plural of
X {box} often encountered in the phrase `UNIX boxen', used to
X describe commodity {UNIX} hardware. The connotation is that any
X two UNIX boxen are interchangeable.
X
Xboxology: /bok-sol'@-jee/ n. 1. The fine art of drawing diagrams
X using the `box' characters (mainly, `|', `-', and
X `+') in ASCII-monospace fonts. Also known as `character
X graphics' or `ASCII graphics'. 2. Boxological drawings.
X "His report has a lot of boxology in it". Compare {macrology}.
X
XBQS: adj. Syn. {Berkeley Quality Software}.
X
Xbrain dump: n. The act of telling someone everything one knows
X about a particular topic or project. Typically used when someone
X is going to let a new party maintain a piece of code. Conceptually
X analogous to an operating system {core dump} in that it saves a
X lot of useful {state} before an exit. Example: "You'll have to
X give me a brain dump on FOOBAR, before you start your new job at
X HackerCorp." See {core dump} (sense #4). At Sun, this is also
X known as `TOI' (transfer of information).
X
Xbrain-damaged: [generalization of `Honeywell Brain Damage' (HBD), a
X theoretical disease invented to explain certain utter cretinisms
X in Honeywell {Multics}] adj. Obviously wrong; {cretinous};
X {demented}. There is an implication that the person responsible
X must have suffered brain damage, because he should have known
X better. Calling something brain-damaged is really bad; it also
X implies it is unusable, and that its failure to work is due to poor
X design rather than some accident.
X
Xbrain-dead: adj. Brain-damaged in the extreme. Not quite like
X mainstream use, as it tends to imply terminal design failure rather
X than malfunction or simple stupidity.
X
Xbraino: /bray'no/ n. Syn. for {thinko}.
X
Xbranch to Fishkill: [IBM, from the location of one of their
X facilities] n. Any unexpected jump in a program that produces
X catastrophic or just plain weird results. See {jump off into
X never-never land}, {hyperspace}.
X
Xbrand brand brand: n. Humorous catch-phrase from {BartleMUD}s, in which
X players were described carrying a list of objects, the most
X common of which would usually be a brand. Often used as a joke
X in {talk mode} as in "Fred the wizard is here, carrying brand
X ruby brand brand brand kettle broadsword flamethrower". Prob.
X influenced by the infamous Monty Python `Spam' skit.
X
Xbreak: 1. vt. To cause to be broken (in any sense). "Your
X latest patch to the editor broke the paragraph commands." 2. v.
X (of a program) To stop temporarily, so that it may debugged. The
X place where it stops is a "breakpoint". 3. [techspeak] vi. To
X send an RS-232 break (125 msec. of line high) over a serial comm
X line. 4. [UNIX] vi. To strike whatever key currently causes the
X tty driver to send SIGINT to the current process. Normally break
X (sense 3) or delete does this.
X
Xbreakage: 1. Brokenness and the consequent mess. 2. [IBM] n.
X The extra people that must be added to an organization because its
X master plan has changed; used esp. of software and hardware
X development teams.
X
Xbreath-of-life packet: [Xerox PARC] n. An Ethernet packet that
X contained bootstrap code, periodically sent out from a working
X computer to infuse the `breath of life' into any computer on the
X network that had happened to crash. The machines had hardware or
X firmware that would wait for such a packet after a catastrophic
X error.
X
Xbring X to its knees: v. Of a machine, operating system, piece of
X software, or algorithm; to present it with a load so extreme or
X pathological that it grinds virtually to a halt. "To bring a
X MicroVAX to its knees, try twenty users running {vi} --- or four
X running {EMACS}." Compare {hog}.
X
Xbrittle: adj. Said of software that's functional but easily broken
X by changes in operating environment or configuration, or by any
X minor tweak to the software itself. Also, any system which
X responds inappropriately and disastrously to expected external
X stimuli, e.g., a file system that is usually totally scrambled by a
X power failure is said to be brittle. This term is often used to
X describe the results of a research effort that were never intended
X to be robust, but can be applied to commercially developed
X software. Oppose {robust}.
X
Xbroadcast storm: n. An incorrect packet broadcast on a network that
X causes most hosts to respond all at once, typically with wrong
X answers that start the process over again. See {network
X meltdown}.
X
Xbroken: adj. 1. Not working properly (of programs). 2. Behaving
X strangely; especially, (when used of people) exhibiting extreme
X depression.
X
Xbroket: /broh'k@t/ or /broh'ket/ [by analogy with `bracket': a
X `broken bracket'] n. Either of the characters `<' and
X `>', when used as paired enclosing delimiters. This word
X originated as a contraction of the phrase `broken bracket', that
X is, a bracket that is bent in the middle. (At MIT, and apparently
X in the {Real World} as well, these are usually called {angle
X brackets}.)
X
XBrooks's Law: prov. "Adding manpower to a late software project
X makes it later" --- a result of the fact that the advantage from
X splitting work between N programmers is O(N), but the complexity
X and communications cost associated with coordinating and then
X merging their work is O(N^2). The quote is from Fred Brooks, a
X manager of IBMs OS/360 project and author of `The Mythical
X Man-Month', an excellent early book on software engineering; the
X myth in question has been most tersely expressed as "Programmer
X time is fungible", and Brooks established conclusively that it is
X not. Hackers have never forgotten his advice; too often,
X {management} does.
X
XBRS: n. Syn. {Big Red Switch}. This abbreviation is fairly
X common on-line.
X
Xbrute force: adj. Describes a certain kind of primitive programming
X style; broadly speaking, one in which the programmer relies on the
X computer's processing power instead of using his/her own intelligence to
X simplify the problem, often ignoring problems of scale and applying
X naive methods suited to small problems directly to large ones.
X
X The {canonical} example of a brute force algorithm is associated
X with the `Travelling salesman problem' (TSP), a classical NP-hard
X problem: suppose a person is in Boston and wishes to drive to N
X other cities. In what order should he/she visit them in order to
X minimize the distance travelled? The brute force method is to
X simply generate all possible routes and compare the distances;
X while guaranteed to work and simple to implement, this algorithm is
SHAR_EOF
true || echo 'restore of jargon.ascii failed'
fi
echo 'End of part 3, continue with part 4'
echo 4 > _shar_seq_.tmp
exit 0