eric@snark.thyrsus.com (Eric S. Raymond) (03/23/91)
Submitted-by: jargon@thyrsus.com
Archive-name: jargon/part03
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X
Xbarfulous: adj. (also `barfucious') Said of something which would
X make anyone barf, if only for esthetic reasons.
X
Xbaroque: adj. Feature-encrusted; complex; gaudy; verging on
X excessive. Said of hardware or (esp.) software designs, this has
X many of the connotations of {elephantine} or {monstrosity} but is
X less extreme and not pejorative in itself. See also {rococo}.
X
XBartleMUD: /bar'tl-muhd/ n. Any of the MUDs which are derived from
X the original MUD game (see {MUD}) or use the same software
X drivers. BartleMUDs are noted for their (usually slightly offbeat)
X humor, dry but friendly syntax, and lack of adjectives in object
X descriptions, so a player is likely to come across `brand172', for
X instance (see {brand brand brand}). Some mudders intensely
X dislike Bartle and this term, preferring to speak of `MUD-1'.
X
Xbatch: adj. Non-interactive. Hackers use this somewhat more
X loosely than the traditional technical definitions justify; in
X particular, switches on a normally interactive program that prepare
X it to receive non-interactive command input are often referred to
X as `batch mode' switches. A `batch file' is a series of
X instructions written to be handed to an interactive program running
X in batch mode.
X
Xbathtub curve: n. Common term for the curve (resembling an
X end-to-end section of one of those claw-footed antique bathtubs)
X that describes the expected failure rate of electronics with time:
X initially high, dropping to near zero for most of the system's
X lifetime, then rising again as it `tires out'. See also {burn-in
X period}, {infant mortality}.
X
Xbaud: /bawd/ [simplified from its technical meaning] n. Bits per
X second. Hence kilobaud or Kbaud, thousand bits per second. The
X technical meaning is `level transitions per second'; this coincides
X with bps only for two-level modulation with no framing or stop
X bits. Hackers are generally aware of these nuances but blithely
X ignore them.
X
Xbaud barf: /bawd barf/ n. The garbage one gets on the monitor when
X using a modem connection with some protocol setting (esp. line
X speed) incorrect, or when someone picks up a voice extension on the
X same line, or when really bad line noise disrupts the connection.
X Baud barf is not completely {random}, by the way; hackers with a
X lot of serial-line experience can usually tell whether the device
X at the other end is expecting a higher or lower speed than the
X terminal is set to. *Really* experienced ones can identify
X particular speeds.
X
Xbaz: /baz/ [Stanford corruption of {bar}] n. 1. The third
X metasyntactic variable, after {foo} and {bar} and before
X {quux} (or, occasionally, `qux'; or local idiosyncracies like
X `rag', `zowie', etc.). "Suppose we have three
X functions FOO, BAR, and BAZ. FOO calls BAR, which calls
X BAZ...." 2. interj. A term of mild annoyance. In this usage
X the term is often drawn out for two or three seconds, producing an
X effect not unlike the bleating of a sheep; /baaaaaaz/.
X 3. Occasionally appended to {foo} to produce `foobaz'.
X
Xbboard: /bee'bord/ [contraction of `bulletin board'] n.
X 1. Any electronic bulletin board; esp. used of {BBS} systems
X running on personal micros, less frequently of a USENET
X {newsgroup} (in fact, use of the term for a newsgroup generally
X marks one either as a {newbie} fresh in from the BBS world or as
X a real old-timer predating USENET). 2. At CMU and other colleges
X with similar facilities, refers to campus-wide electronic bulletin
X boards. 3. The term `physical bboard' is sometimes used to
X refer to a old-fashioned, non-electronic cork memo board. At CMU,
X it refers to a particular one outside the CS Lounge.
X
X In either of senses 1 or 2, the term is usually prefixed by the
X name of the intended board (`the Moonlight Casino bboard' or
X `market bboard'); however, if the context is clear, the better-read
X bboards may be referred to by name alone, as in [at CMU] "Don't
X post for-sale ads on general".
X
XBBS: [acronym, Bulletin Board System] n. An electronic bulletin
X board system; that is, a message database where people can log in
X and leave broadcast messages for others grouped (typically) into
X topic areas. Thousands of local BBS systems are in operation
X throughout the U.S., typically run by amateurs for fun out of their
X homes on MS-DOS boxes with a single modem line each. Fans of
X USENET and Internet or the big commercial timesharing bboards like
X CompuServe or GEnie tend to consider local BBSes the low-rent
X district of the hacker culture, but they serve a valuable function
X by knitting together lots of hackers and users in the
X personal-micro world who would otherwise be unable to exchange code
X at all.
X
Xbeam: [from Star Trek Classic's "Beam me up, Scotty!"] vt. To
X transfer {softcopy} of a file electronically; most often in
X combining forms such as `beam me a copy' or `beam that over to
X his site'. Compare {blast}, {snarf}, {BLT}.
X
Xbeep: n.,v. Syn. {feep}. This term seems to be preferred among micro
X hobbyists.
X
Xbeige toaster: n. A Macintosh. See {toaster}; compare
X {Macintrash}, {maggotbox}.
X
Xbells and whistles: [by analogy with the toyboxes on theater
X organs] n. Features added to a program or system to make it more
X {flavorful} from a hacker's point of view, without necessarily
X adding to its utility for its primary function. Distinguished from
X {chrome}, which is intended to attract users. "Now that we've
X got the basic program working, let's go back and add some bells and
X whistles." However, no one seems to know what distinguishes a
X bell from a whistle.
X
Xbells, whistles, and gongs: n. A standard elaborated form of
X {bells and whistles}; typically said with a pronounced and ironic
X accent on the `gongs'.
X
Xbenchmark: [techspeak] n. An inaccurate measure of computer
X performance. "In the computer industry, there are three kinds of
X lies: lies, damn lies, and benchmarks." Well-known ones include
X Whetstone, Dhrystone, the Gabriel LISP benchmarks (see
X {gabriel}), Rhealstone (see {h}), the SPECmark suite and
X LINPACK. See also {machoflops}, {MIPS}.
X
XBerkeley Quality Software: adj. (often abbreviated `BQS') Term used
X in a pejorative sense to refer to software which was apparently
X created by rather spaced-out hackers late at night to solve some
X unique problem. It usually has nonexistent, incomplete, or
X incorrect documentation, has been tested on at least two examples,
X and core dumps when anyone else attempts to use it. This term was
X frequently applied to early versions of the `dbx(1)' debugger.
X See also {Berzerkeley}.
X
Xberklix: /ber'kliks/ n.,adj. [contraction of `Berkeley UNIX'] See
X {BSD}. Not used at Berkeley itself. May be more common among
X {suit}s attempting to sound like cognoscenti than among hackers,
X who usually just say `BSD'.
X
Xberserking: vi. A {MUD} term meaning to gain points *only*
X by killing other players and mobiles (non-player characters).
X Hence a Berserker-Wizard is a player character that has achieved
X enough points to become a wizard, but only by killing other
X characters. Berserking is sometimes frowned upon because of its
X inherently antisocial nature, but some MUDs have a `berserker
X mode' in which a player becomes *permanently* berserk, can
X never flee out of a fight, cannot use magic, gets no score for
X treasure, but *does* get double kill points. "Berserker
X wizards can seriously damage your elf!"
X
XBerzerkeley: [from "berserk"] /b*r-zer'klee/ [from the name of
X a now-deceased record label] n. Humorous distortion of `Berkeley'
X used esp. to refer to the practices or products of the {BSD}
X UNIX hackers. See {software bloat}, {Missed'em-five},
X {Berkeley Quality Software}.
X
X Mainstream use of this term in reference to the cultural and
X political peculiarities of UC Berkeley as a whole has been reported
X from as far back as the 1960s.
X
Xbeta: /be't*/, /bay't*/ or (Commonwealth) /bee't*/ n. 1. In the
X {Real World}, software often goes through two stages of testing:
X Alpha (in-house) and Beta (out-house?). Software is said to be
X `in beta'. 2. Anything that is new and experimental is in
X beta. "His girlfriend is in beta." 3. Beta software is
X notoriously buggy, so `in beta' connotes flakiness.
X
X Historical note: More formally, to beta-test is to test a
X pre-release (potentially unreliable) version of a piece of software
X by making it available to selected customers and users. This term
X derives from early 1960s terminology for product cycle checkpoints,
X first used at IBM but later standard throughout the industry.
X `Alpha Test' was the unit, module, or component test phase; `Beta
X Test' was initial system test. These themselves came from earlier
X A- and B-tests for hardware. The A-test was a feasibility and
X manufacturability evaluation done before any commitment to design
X and development. The B-test was a demonstration that the
X engineering model functioned as specified. The C-test
X (corresponding to today's beta) was the B-test performed on early
X samples of the production design.
X
XBFI: n. See {brute force and ignorance}. Also encountered in the
X variant `BFMI', `brute force and *massive* ignorance'.
X
Xbible: n. 1. One of a small number of fundamental source books
X such as {Knuth} and {K&R}. 2. The most detailed and
X authoritative reference for a particular language, operating
X system, or other complex software system.
X
XBiCapitalization: adj. The act said to have been performed on
X trademarks such as NeXT, {NeWS}, VisiCalc, FrameMaker, TK!solver,
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. "Yes, those two physicists discovered
X high-temperature superconductivity in a batch of ceramic that had
X been prepared incorrectly according to their experimental schedule.
X Small mistake; big win!" To `win big' (vi.) 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!"
X 2. [Stanford] n. In backgammon, large numbers on the dice are
X called `bignums', especially a roll of double fives or double
X sixes. 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 obsolete 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.
X 1. [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 4. More generally, a (possibly incorrect) mental state of belief.
X Example: "I have a bit set that says that you were the last guy to
X hack on EMACS." (Meaning, "I think you were the last guy who
X hacked on EMACS, and what I am about to say is predicated on this,
X so please stop me if this isn't true.")
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
X accomplished by rapidly tweaking a single output bit at the
X appropriate times (popular on certain early models of Prime
X computers, presumably when UARTs were too expensive, and on archaic
X Z80 micros with a Zilog PIO but no SIO). The technique is a simple
X loop with eight OUT and SHIFT instruction pairs for each byte.
X Input is more interesting. And full duplex (doing input and output
X at the same time) is one way to separate the real hackers from the
X {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 twiddling: n. 1. (pejorative) An exercise in {tuning} in
X which incredible amounts of time and effort go to produce little
X noticeable improvement, with the frequent result that the code has
X become incomprehensible. 2. aimless small modification to a
X program, esp. for some pointless goal. 3. Approx. syn. for {bit
X bashing}; esp. used for the act of frobbing the device control
X register of a peripheral in an attempt to get it back to a known
X state.
X
Xbit bucket: n. 1. 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
X {UNIX}, often used for {/dev/null}. Sometimes amplified as
X `the Great Bit Bucket in the Sky'. 2. The place where all lost
X mail and news messages eventually go. The selection is performed
X according to {Murphy's Law}; important mail is much more likely
X to end in the bit bucket than junk mail, which has almost 100%
X probability of getting delivered. Routing to the bit bucket is
X automatically performed by the mail transfer agents, news systems
X and the lower layers of the network. 3. The ideal location for all
X unwanted mail responses, e.g "Flames about this article to
X /dev/null." Such a request is guaranteed to overflow one's
X mailbox with flames. 4. Excuse for all mail that has not been
X sent. Example: "I mailed you those figures last week, they must
X have ended in the bit bucket."
X
X This term is used purely in jest. It's based on the fanciful
X notion that bits are objects that are not destroyed, but only
X misplaced. This appears to have been a mutation of an earlier term
X `bit box', about which the same legend was current; old-time
X hackers also report that trainees used to be told that when the CPU
X stored bits into memory it was actually pulling them "out of the
X bit box". See also {chad box}, {null device}.
X
X Another variant of this legend has it that due to the `parity
X preservation law' the number of 1 (one) bits that end into the bit
X bucket must equal the number of 0 (zero) bits. Any imbalance
X results in bits filling up the bit bucket. A qualified computer
X techinician can empty a full bit bucket as part of scheduled
X maintenance.
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. Software rot is
X the effect, bit rot the notional cause.
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 several (differing) arrangements on IBM's
X even 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
XBITNET: n. Everybody's least favorite piece of the network (see
X {network, the}). The BITNET hosts are a collection of IBM
X dinosaurs that communicate using 80-character {{EBCDIC}} card
X images; thus, they tend to mangle the headers and text of
X third-party traffic from the rest of the ASCII/RFC-822 world with
X annoying regularity. BITNET is also notorious as the apparent home
X of {BIFF}.
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 (compare {black magic}). VLSI design
X and compiler code optimization were (in their beginnings)
X considered classic examples of black art; as theory developed they
X became {deep magic}, and once standard textbooks had been written
X became merely {heavy wizardry}. The huge proliferation of formal
X and informal channels for spreading around new computer-related
X technologies during the last twenty years has made both the term
X `black art' and what it describes less common than formerly. See
X also {voodoo 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
Xblack magic: n. A technique which works, though nobody really
X understands why. More obscure than {voodoo programming}, which
X may be done by cookbook. Compare also {black art}, {deep
X magic}, and {magic number} (sense #2).
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
Xblat: n. See {thud}.
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},
X {bagbiter}, {bogus}, and {random}. The term {bletcherous}
X applies to the esthetics of the thing so described; similarly for
X `cretinous'. By contrast, something that is `losing' or
X `bagbiting' may be failing to meet objective criteria. See also
X {bogus} and {random}, which have richer and wider shades of
X 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 fuer gefingerpoken und mittengrabben.
X Ist easy schnappen der springenwerk, blowenfusen und poppencorken
X mit spitzensparken. Ist nicht fuer 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. See also {geef}.
X
Xblit: /blit/ vt. 1. To copy a large array of bits from one part
X of a computer's memory to another part, particularly when the
X memory is being used to determine what is shown on a display
X screen. "The storage allocator picks through the table and copies
X the good parts up into high memory, and at the end {blit}s it all
X back down again." See {bitblt}, {BLT}, {dd}, {cat},
X {blast}, {snarf}. More generally, to perform some operation
X (such as toggling) on a large array of bits while moving them.
X 2. 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}). Syn. {raster blaster}.
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. 5. An embaressing bug that pops up during a customer demo.
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 for the Programmable Read-Only Memories (PROMs) that
X preceded present-day Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memories
X (EPROMs) involved intentionally blowing tiny electrical fuses on
X the chip. Thus, one was said to "blow a PROM" and the
X terminology carried over even though the write process on EPROMs is
X nondestructive.
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}. It referred to any large bit-field copy or
X move operation (one resource intensive memory-shuffling operation
X done on pre-paged versions of ITS, WAITS, and TOPS- 10 was
X sardonically referred to as `The Big BLT'). The jargon usage has
X outlasted the {PDP-10} BLock Transfer instruction from which
X {BLT} derives; nowadays, the assembler mnemonic {BLT} almost
X always 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/I
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, also {bogus}.
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. See
X also {bogosity}, {bogus}.
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." See
X also {bogosity}, {bogus}.
X
Xbogosity: /boh-go's*-tee/ n. 1. The degree to which something
X is {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}. See also {bogosity}, {bogus}.
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
X program 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. See also {bogosity}, {bogus}.
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." See also {bogosity}, {bogus}.
X
Xbogus: adj. 1. Non-functional. "Your patches are bogus."
X 2. Useless. "OPCON is a bogus program." 3. False. "Your
X arguments are bogus." 4. Incorrect. "That algorithm is bogus."
X 5. Unbelievable. "You claim to have solved the halting problem
X for Turing Machines? That's totally bogus." 6. Silly. "Stop
X writing those bogus sagas." Astrology is bogus. So is a bolt
X that is obviously about to break. So is someone who makes
X blatantly false claims to have solved a scientific problem. (This
X 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 `Cheers' and
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.
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