The Jargon File v2.3.1 03 JAN 1991, part 10 of 11
Eric S. Raymond
eric at snark.thyrsus.com
Fri Jan 4 08:08:16 AEST 1991
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X Can also imply that the implementation is much simpler than the
X appearance would indicate, as in "Under the hood, we are just
X fork/execling the shell." 3. Inside a chassis, as in "Under the
X hood, this baby has a 40MHz 68030!"
X
X<uninteresting> adj. 1. Said of a problem which, while <nontrivial>,
X can be solved simply by throwing sufficient resources at it. 2.
X Also said of problems for which a solution would neither advance
X the state of the art nor be fun to design and code. True hackers
X regard uninteresting problems as an intolerable waste of time, to
X be solved (if at all) by lesser mortals. See <WOMBAT>, <SMOP>;
X oppose <interesting>.
X
X<UN*X> n. Used to refer to the Unix operating system (trademark and/or
X copyright AT&T) in writing, but avoiding the need for the ugly (tm)
X typography. Also used to refer to any or all varieties of Unixoid
X operating systems. Ironically, lawyers now say (1990) that the
X requirement for superscript-tm has no legal force, but the asterisk
X usage is entrenched anyhow. It has been suggested that there may
X be a psychological connection to practice in certain religions
X where the name of the deity is never written out in full, e.g. JHWH
X or G-d is used. See also <glob>.
X
X<unwind the stack> v. 1. During the execution of a procedural language
X one is said to `unwind the stack' from a called procedure up to a
X caller when one discards the stack frame and any number of frames
X above it, popping back up to the level of the given caller. In C
X this is done with longjmp/setjmp; in LISP with THROW/CATCH. This
X is sometimes necessary when handling exceptional conditions. See
X also <smash the stack>. 2. People can unwind the stack as well, by
X quickly dealing with a bunch of problems "Oh hell, let's do lunch.
X Just a second while I unwind my stack".
X
X<unwind-protect> [MIT, from the name of a LISP operator] n. A task you
X must remember to perform before you leave a place or finish a
X project. "I have an unwind-protect to call my advisor."
X
X<UNIX> /yoo'niks/ [In the authors' words, "A weak pun on MULTICS"]
X n. A popular interactive time-sharing system originally invented in
X 1969 by Ken Thompson after Bell Labs left the MULTICS project,
X mostly so he could play SPACEWAR on a scavenged PDP7. Dennis
X Ritchie, the inventor of C, is considered a co-author of the
X system. The turning point in UNIX's history came when it was
X reimplemented almost entirely in C in 1974, making it the first
X source-portable operating system. Fifteen years and a lot of
X changes later UNIX is the most widely used multiuser
X general-purpose operating system in the world. Many people (q.v.
X <UNIX weenie>) consider this the single most important victory yet
X of hackerdom over industry opposition. See <Version 7>, <BSD
X UNIX>, <USG UNIX>.
X
X<UNIX conspiracy> [ITS] n. According to a conspiracy theory long
X popular among <ITS> and <TOPS-20> fans, UNIX's growth is the result
X of a plot hatched during the 70s at Bell Labs, whose intent was to
X hobble AT&T's competitors by making them dependent upon a system
X whose future evolution was to be under AT&T control. This would be
X accomplished by disseminating an operating system that is seemingly
X inexpensive and easily portable, but relatively unreliable and
X insecure. In this view, UNIX was designed to be one of the first
X computer viruses (see <virus>), but a virus spread to computers
X indirectly by people and market forces, rather than directly
X through disks and networks. Adherents of this "UNIX virus"
X theory like to cite the fact that the well-known quotation "UNIX
X is snake oil" was uttered by DEC president Kenneth Olsen shortly
X before DEC began actively promoting its own family of UNIX
X workstations.
X
X<unixism> n. A piece of code or coding technique that depends on of
X the protected multi-tasking environment with relatively low
X process-spawn overhead that exists on UNIX systems. Common
X <unixism>s include: gratuitous use of `fork(2)'; the assumption that
X certain undocumented but well-known features of UNIX libraries like
X `stdio(3)' are supported elsewhere; reliance on <obscure>
X side-effects of system calls (use of `sleep(2)' with a zero argument
X to clue the scheduler that you're willing to give up your
X time-slice, for example); the assumption that freshly-allocated
X memory is empty, the assumption that it's safe to never free()
X memory, etc.
X
X<UNIX weenie> [ITS] n. 1. A derogatory pun on "UNIX wizard", common
X among hackers who use UNIX by necessity, but would prefer
X alternatives. The implication is that, while the person in
X question may consider mastery of UNIX arcana to be a wizardly
X skill, the only real skill involved is the ability to tolerate, and
X the bad taste to wallow in, the incoherence and needless complexity
X that are alleged to infest many UNIX programs. "This shell script
X tries to parse its arguments in 69 bletcherous ways. It must have
X been written by a real UNIX weenie." 2. A derogatory term for
X anyone who engages in uncritical praise of UNIX. Often appearing
X in the context "stupid UNIX weenie". See <Weenix>, <UNIX
X conspiracy>.
X
X<up> adj. 1. Working, in order. "The down escalator is up." 2.
X <bring up>: v. To create a working version and start it. "They
X brought up a down system."
X
X<upload> /uhp'lohd/ v. 1. To transfer code or data over a digital comm
X line from a smaller `client' system to a larger `host' one. Oppose
X <download>. 2. [speculatively] To move the essential patterns and
X algorithms which make up one's mind from one's brain into a
X computer. Only those who are convinced that such patterns and
X algorithms capture the complete essence of the self view this
X prospect with aplomb.
X
X<urchin> n. See <munchkin>.
X
X<USENET> /yoos'net/ or /yooz'net/ [from "Users' Network"] n. A
X distributed bulletin board system supported mainly by UNIX
X machines, international in scope and probably the largest
X non-profit information utility in existence. As of early 1990 it
X hosts over 700 topic groups and distributes up to 15 megabytes of
X new technical articles, news, discussion, chatter, and <flamage>
X every day. See <newsgroup>.
X
X<user> n. 1. Someone doing "real work" with the computer, who uses a
X computer as a means rather than an end. Someone who pays to use a
X computer. See <real user>. 2. A programmer who will believe
X anything you tell him. One who asks silly questions. (This is
X slightly unfair. It is true that users ask questions (of
X necessity). Sometimes they are thoughtful or deep. Very often
X they are annoying or downright stupid, apparently because the user
X failed to think for two seconds or look in the documentation before
X bothering the maintainer.) See <luser>. 3. Someone who uses a
X program from the outside, however skillfully, without getting into
X the internals of the program. One who reports bugs instead of just
X going ahead and fixing them. Basically, there are two classes of
X people who work with a program: there are implementors (hackers)
X and users (losers). The users are looked down on by hackers to a
X mild degree because they don't understand the full ramifications of
X the system in all its glory. (The few users who do are known as
X <real winners>.) The term is a relative one: a consummate hacker
X may be a user with respect to some program he himself does not
X hack. A LISP hacker might be one who maintains LISP or one who
X uses LISP (but with the skill of a hacker). A LISP user is one who
X uses LISP, whether skillfully or not. Thus there is some overlap
X between the two terms; the subtle distinctions must be resolved by
X context.
X
X<user friendly> adj. Programmer-hostile. Generally used by hackers in
X a critical tone, to describe systems which hold the user's hand so
X obsessively that they make it painful for the more experienced and
X knowledgeable to get any work done. See <menuitis>, <drool-proof
X paper>, <Macintrash>, <user-obsequious>.
X
X<user-obsequious> adj. Emphatic form of <user friendly>. Connotes a
X system so verbose, inflexible, and determinedly simple-minded that
X it is nearly unusable. "Design a system any fool can use and only
X a fool will want to use it".
X
X<USG UNIX> /yoo-ess-jee yoo'niks/ n. Refers to AT&T UNIX versions
X after <Version 7>, especially System III and System V releases 1, 2
X and 3. So called because at that time AT&T's support crew was
X called the `UNIX Support Group'. See <BSD UNIX>.
X
X<UUCPNET> n. The store-and-forward network consisting of all the
X world's UNIX machines (and others running some clone of the UUCP
X (UNIX-to-UNIX Copy Program) software). Any machine reachable via a
X <bang path> is on UUCPNET. See <network address>.
X
X {= V =}
X
X<vadding> /vad'ing/ [from VAD, a permutation of ADV (i.e. <ADVENT>),
X used to avoid a particular sysadmin's continual search-and-destroy
X sweeps for the game] n. A leisure-time activity of certain hackers
X involving the covert exploration of the "secret" parts of large
X buildings --- basements, roofs, freight elevators, maintenance
X crawlways, steam tunnels and the like. A few go so far as to learn
X locksmithing in order to synthesize vadding keys. The verb is `to
X vad'. The most extreme and dangerous form of vadding is <elevator
X rodeo>, aka <elevator surfing>, a sport played by wrasslin' down a
X thousand-pound elevator car with a three-foot piece of string, and
X then exploiting this mastery in various stimulating ways (such as
X elevator hopping, shaft exploration, rat-racing and the
X ever-popular drop experiments). Kids, don't try this at home!
X
X<vanilla> adj. Ordinary flavor, standard. See <flavor>. When used of
X food, very often does not mean that the food is flavored with
X vanilla extract! For example, "vanilla-flavored wonton soup" (or
X simply "vanilla wonton soup") means ordinary wonton soup, as
X opposed to hot and sour wonton soup. Applied to hardware and
X software. As in "Vanilla Version 7 UNIX can't run on a vanilla
X 11/34". Also used to orthogonalize TTL nomenclature; for instance
X a 74V00 is what TI calls a 7400, as distinct from a 74LS00, etc.
X This word differs from <canonical> in that the latter means "the
X thing you always use (or the way you always do it) unless you have
X some strong reason to do otherwise", whereas <vanilla> simply
X means "ordinary". For example, when hackers go on a <Great
X Wall>, hot-and-sour wonton soup is the <canonical> wonton soup to
X get (because that is what most of them usually order) even though
X it isn't the <vanilla> wonton soup.
X
X<vannevar> /van'@-var/ n. A bogus technological prediction or
X foredoomed engineering concept, esp. one which fails by implicitly
X assuming that technologies develop linearly, incrementally, and in
X isolation from one another when in fact the learning curve tends to
X be highly nonlinear, revolutions are common, and competition is the
X rule. The prototype was Vannevar Bush's prediction of "electronic
X brains" the size of the Empire State Building with a
X Niagara-Falls-equivalent cooling system for their tubes and relays,
X at a time when the semiconductor effect had already been
X demonstrated. Other famous vannevars have included magnetic-bubble
X memory, LISP machines and a paper from the late 1970s that
X purported to prove limits on maximum areal densities for ICs less
X than were in fact exceeded routinely five years later.
X
X<vaporware> n. Products announced far in advance of any shipment
X (which may or may not actually take place).
X
X<var> /veir/ or /vahr/ n. Short for "variable". Compare <arg>,
X <param>.
X
X<VAX> /vaks/ n. 1. [from Virtual Address eXtension] The most
X successful minicomputer design in industry history, possibly
X excepting its immediate ancestor the PDP-11. Between its release in
X 1978 and eclipse by <killer micro>s after about 1986 the VAX was
X probably the favorite hacker machine of them all, esp. after the
X 1982 release of 4.2BSD UNIX (see <BSD UNIX>). Esp. noted for its
X large, assembler-programmer-friendly instruction set, an asset
X which became a liability after the RISC revolution following about
X 1985. 2. A major brand of vacuum cleaner in Britain. Cited here
X because its alleged sales pitch, "Nothing sucks like a VAX!"
X became a sort of battle-cry of RISC partisans. Ironically, the
X slogan was actually that of a rival brand called Electrolux.
X
X<VAXen> /vak'sn/ [from "oxen", perhaps influenced by "vixen"] n.
X pl. The plural standardly used among hackers for the DEC VAX
X computers. "Our installation has four PDP-10's and twenty
X <vaxen>." See <boxen>.
X
X<vaxism> n. A piece of code that excebits <vaxocentrism> in critical
X areas. Compare <PC-ism>, <unixism>.
X
X<vaxocentrism> /vak`soh-sen'trizm/ [analogy with "ethnocentrism"] n.
X A notional disease said to afflict C programmers who persist in
X coding according to certain assumptions valid (esp. under UNIX) on
X <VAXen>, but false elsewhere (this can create substantial
X portability problems). Among these are:
X
X 1. The assumption that dereferencing a null pointer is safe because
X it is all bits zero, and location 0 is readable and zero (it may
X instead cause an illegal-address trap on non-VAXEN, and even on
X VAXEN under OSs other than BSD UNIX).
X
X
X 2. The assumption that pointer and integer types are the same size,
X and that pointers can be stuffed into integer variables and drawn
X back out without being truncated or mangled.
X
X
X 3. The assumption that a data type of any size may begin at any
X byte address in memory (for example, that you can freely construct
X and dereference a pointer to a word-sized object at an odd
X address). On many (esp. RISC) architectures better optimized for
X HLL execution speed this is invalid and can cause an illegal
X address fault or bus error.
X
X
X 4. The (related) assumption that there is no `padding' at the end
X of types and that in an array you can thus step right from the last
X byte of a previous component to the first byte of the next one.
X
X
X 5. The assumption that memory address space is globally flat and
X that the array reference foo[-1] is necessarily valid This is not
X true on segment-addressed machines like Intel chips (yes,
X segmentatation is universally considered a <brain-damaged> way to
X design but that is a separate issue).
X
X
X 6. The assumption that objects can be arbitrarily large with no
X special considerations (again, not true on segmented
X architectures);
X
X
X 7. The assumption that the parameters of a routine are stored in
X memory, contiguously, and in strictly ascending or descending order
X (fails on many RISC architectures).
X
X
X 8. The assumption that bits and addressable units within an object
X are ordered in the same way and that this order is a constant of
X nature (fails on <big-endian> machines).
X
X
X 9. The assumption that it is meaningful to compare pointers to
X different objects not located within the same array, or to objects
X of different types (the former fails on segmented architectures,
X the latter on word-oriented machines or others with multiple
X pointer formats).
X
X
X 10. The assumption that a pointer to any one type can freely be cast
X into a pointer to any other type (fails on word- oriented machines
X pr others with multiple pointer formats).
X
X
X 11. The assumption that "int" is 32 bits (fails on 286-based
X systems under some compilers), or (nearly equivalently) the
X assumption that sizeof(int) == sizeof(long).
X
X
X 12. The assumption that argv[] is writeable (fails in some
X embedded-systems C environments).
X
X
X 13. The assumption that characters are signed (fails on the 68000
X series and elsewhere).
X
X
X 14. The assumption that all pointers are the same size and format,
X which means you don't have to worry about getting the types correct
X in calls (fails on word-oriented machines or others with multiple
X pointer formats).
X
X
X Note that a programmer can be validly be accused of vaxocentrism
X even if he/she has never seen a VAX. The terms "vaxocentricity"
X and "all-the-world's-a-VAX syndrome" have been used synonymously.
X
X<veeblefester> /vee'b at l-fes-tr/ [from the "Born Loser" comix via
X Commodore; prob originally from Mad Magazine's "Veeblefeetzer" c.
X 1960] n. Any obnoxious person engaged in the alleged professions
X of marketing or management. Antonym of <hacker>. Compare <suit>,
X <marketroid>.
X
X<venus flytrap> [after the plant] n. See <firewall machine>.
X
X<verbiage> /ver'bee- at j/ [IBM] n. Documentation.
X
X<Version 7> alt. V7 /vee-se'vn/ n. The 1978 unsupported release of
X <UNIX> ancestral to all current commercial versions. Before
X the release of the POSIX/SVID standards V7's features were often
X treated as a UNIX portability baseline. See <BSD>, <USG UNIX>,
X <UNIX>. Some old-timers impatient with commercialization and
X kernel bloat still maintain that V7 was the Last True UNIX.
X
X<vi> /vee ie/, *not* /vie/ and *never* /siks/ [from `Visual
X Interface'] n. A screen editor <crufted together> by Bill Joy for
X an early <BSD> version. Became the de-facto standard UNIX editor
X and a nearly undisputed hacker favorite until the rise of <EMACS>
X after about 1984. Tends to frustrate new users no end, as it will
X neither take commands while accepting input text nor vice versa,
X and the default setup provides no indication of which mode one is
X in. Nevertheless it is still widely used (about half the
X respondents in a USENET poll preferred it), and even EMACS fans
X often resort to it as a mail editor and for small editing jobs
X (mainly because it starts up faster than bulky EMACS). See
X <holy wars>.
X
X<virgin> adj. Unused, in reference to an instantiation of a program.
X "Let's bring up a virgin system and see if it crashes again."
X Esp. useful after contracting a <virus> through <SEX>. Also, by
X extension, unused buffers and the like within a program.
X
X<virus> [from SF] n. A cracker program that propagates itself by
X `infecting' (embedding itself in) other trusted programs,
X especially operating systems. See <worm>, <trojan horse>.
X
X<virtual> adj. 1. Common alternative to <logical>, but never used with
X compass directions. 2. Performing the functions of. Virtual
X memory acts like real memory but isn't. This word is nearly
X synonymous with <logical>, but is never used of directions. Note
X that for any thing X, a logical X is either a real X or a virtual
X X, but not both.
X
X<virtual reality> n. 1. Computer simulations that involve 3D graphics
X and use devices such as the Dataglove to allow the user interact
X with the simulation. See <cyberspace>. 2. A form of network
X interaction incorporating aspects of role-playing games,
X interactive theater, improvisational comedy and "true
X confessions" magazines. In a "virtual reality" forum (such as
X USENET's alt.callahans newsgroup or the MUD experiments on
X Internet) interaction between the participants is written like a
X shared novel complete with scenery, "foreground characters" which
X may be personae utterly unlike the people who write them, and
X common "background characters" manipulable by all parties. The
X one iron law is that you may not write irreversible changes to a
X character without the consent of the person who "owns" it.
X Otherwise anything goes. See <bamf>, <cyberspace>.
X
X<visionary> n. One who hacks vision, in the sense of an Artificial
X Intelligence researcher working on the problem of getting computers
X to "see" things using TV cameras. (There isn't any problem in
X sending information from a TV camera to a computer. The problem
X is, how can the computer be programmed to make use of the camera
X information? See <SMOP>.)
X
X<VMS> /vee em ess/ n. DEC's proprietary operating system for their VAX
X minicomputer; one of the seven or so environments that loom largest
X in hacker folklore. Many UNIX fans generously concede that VMS
X would probably be the hacker's favorite commercial OS if UNIX
X didn't exist; though true, this makes VMS fans furious. One major
X hacker gripe with it is its slowness, thus the following limerick:
X
X There once was a system called VMS
X Of cycles by no means abstemious.
X It's chock-full of hacks
X And runs on a VAX
X And makes my poor stomach all squeamious.
X ---The Great Quux
X
X See also <VAX>, <TOPS-10>, <TOPS-20>, <UNIX>.
X
X<voodoo programming> [from George Bush's "voodoo economics"] n. Use
X by guess or cookbook of an <obscure>, <hairy> system feature or
X algorithm which one does not truly understand. The implication is
X that the technique may not work, and if it doesn't one will never
X know why. Compare <magic>, <deep magic>, <heavy wizardry>.
X
X<vulcan nerve pinch> n. [From the old Star Trek TV series via
X Commodore Amiga hackers] The keyboard combination that forces a
X soft-boot or jump to ROM monitor (on machines that support such a
X feature). On many micros this is Ctrl-Alt-Del; on Macintoshes, it
X is <Cmd>-<Power switch>! Also called <three-finger salute>.
X
X<vulture capitalist> n. Pejorative hackerism for "venture
X capitalist", deriving from the common practice of pushing
X contracts that deprive inventors of both control over their own
X innovations and most of the money they ought to have made from
X them.
X
X {= W =}
X
X<wabbit> /wab'it/ [almost certainly from Elmer Fudd's immortal line
X "you wascal wabbit!"] n. 1. A legendary early hack reported on a
X System/360 at RPI and elsewhere around 1978. The program would
X reproduce itself twice every time it was run, eventually crashing
X the system. 2. By extension, any hack that includes infinite
X self-replication but is not a <virus> or <worm>. See also <cookie
X monster).
X
X<waldo> /wol'doh/ [probably taken from the story "Waldo", by
X Heinlein, which is where the term was first used to mean a remote
X mechanical agent controlled by a human limb] At Harvard
X (particularly by Tom Cheatham and students) this is used instead of
X <foobar> as a meta-syntactic variable and general nonsense word.
X See <foo>, <bar>, <foobar>, <quux>.
X
X<walk> n.,vt. Traversal of an actual or <logical> data structure,
X especially a linked-list data structure in <core>. See also
X <codewalker>, <silly-walk>, <clobber>.
X
X<walking drives> n. An occasional failure mode of magnetic-disk drives
X back in the days when they were 14" wide <washing machine>s. Those
X old <dinosaur> parts carried terrific angular momentum; the
X combination of a misaligned spindle or worn bearings and stick-slip
X interactions with the floor could cause them to "walk" across a
X room, lurching alternate corners forward a couple of millimeters at
X a time. There is a legend about a drive that walked over to the
X only door to the computer room and jammed it shut; the staff had to
X cut a hole in the wall in order to get at it! Walking could also be
X induced by certain patterns of drive access (a fast seek across the
X whole width of the disk, followed by a slow seek in the other
X direction). It is known that some bands of old-time hackers
X figured out how to induce disk-accessing patterns that would do
X this to particular drive models and held disk-drive races. This is
X not a joke!
X
X<wall> [WPI] interj. 1. An indication of confusion, usually spoken
X with a quizzical tone. "Wall??" 2. A request for further
X explication. Compare <octal forty>.
X
X It is said that "WALL?" really came from "talking to a blank
X wall". It was initially used in situations where, after one
X carefully answered a question, the questioner stared at you
X blankly, having understood nothing that was explained. One would
X then throw out a "HELLO, WALL?" to elicit some sort of response
X from the questioner. Later, confused questioners began voicing
X "WALL?" themselves.
X
X There is an anecdote about a child in a hospital who is addressed
X by a nurse over an intercom and replies "What do you want, Wall?"
X
X<wall time> n. 1. `Real world' time (what the clock on the wall shows)
X as opposed to the system clock's idea of time. 2. The real running
X time of a program, as opposed to the number of <clocks> required to
X execute it (on a timesharing system these will differ, as no one
X program gets all the <clocks>).
X
X<wallpaper> n. 1. A file containing a listing (e.g., assembly listing)
X or transcript, esp. a file containing a transcript of all or part
X of a login session. (The idea was that the LPT paper for such
X listings was essentially good only for wallpaper, as evidenced at
X Stanford where it was used as such to cover windows.) Usage: not
X often used now, esp. since other systems have developed other terms
X for it (e.g., PHOTO on TWENEX). However, the UNIX world doesn't
X have an equivalent term, so perhaps <wallpaper> will take hold
X there. The term probably originated on ITS, where the commands to
X begin and end transcript files were :WALBEG and :WALEND, with
X default file DSK:WALL PAPER. 2. The background pattern used on
X graphical workstations (this is jargon under the "Windows"
X graphical user interface to MS-DOS). 3. <wallpaper file> n. The
X file that contains the wallpaper information before it is actually
X printed on paper. (Sometimes you don't intend ever to produce a
X real paper copy of the file, because you can look at the file
X directly on your terminal, but it is still called a "wallpaper
X file".)
X
X<washing machine> n. Old-style hard disks in floor-standing cabinets.
X So called because of the size of the cabinet and the
X "top-loading" access to the media packs -- and, of course, they
X were always set on "spin cycle". The washing-machine idiom
X transcends language barriers; it's even used in Russian hacker
X jargon. See <walking drives>. The thick channel cables connecting
X these were called "bit hoses" (see HOSE).
X
X<weasel> [Cambridge University] A "naive user", one who deliberately
X or accidentally does things which are stupid or ill-advised.
X Roughly synonymous with <luser>.
X
X<wedged> adj. 1. To be stuck, incapable of proceeding without help.
X This is different from having crashed. If the system has crashed,
X then it has become totally non-functioning. If the system is
X wedged, it is trying to do something but cannot make progress; it
X may be capable of doing a few things, but not be fully operational.
X For example, the system may become wedged if the disk controller
X fries; there are some things you can do without using the disks,
X but not many. Being wedged is slightly milder than being <hung>.
X Also see <gronk>, <locked up>, <hosed>. 2. This term is sometimes
X used to describe a <deadlock> condition. 3. Often refers to
X humans suffering misconceptions. 4. [UNIX] Specifically used to
X describe the state of a TTY left in a losing state by abort of a
X screen-oriented program or one that has messed with the line
X discipline in some obscure way. 5. <wedgitude> (wedj'i-tood) n.
X The quality or state of being wedged.
X
X<weeble> /weeb'l/ [Cambridge University] interj. Use to denote
X frustration, usually at amazing stupidity. "I stuck the disk in
X upside down." "Weeble..." Compare <gurfle>.
X
X<weeds> n. Refers to development projects or algorithms that have no
X possible relevance or practical application. Comes from "off in
X the weeds". Used in phrases like "lexical analysis for microcode
X is serious weeds..."
X
X<Weenix> [ITS] n. A derogatory term for <UNIX>, derived from <UNIX
X weenie>.
X
X<well-behaved> adj. 1. [primarily <MS-DOS>] Said of software
X conforming to system interface guidelines and standards. Well
X behaved software uses the operating system to do chores such as
X keyboard input, allocating memory and drawing graphics. Oppose
X <ill-behaved>. 2. Software that does its job quietly and without
X counterintuitive effects. Esp. said of software having an
X interface spec sufficiently simple and well-defined that it can be
X used as a tool by other software.
X
X<well-connected> adj. Said of a computer installation, this means it
X has reliable email links with the network and/or relays a large
X fraction of available <USENET> newsgroups.
X
X<wetware> [prob. from the novels of Rudy Rucker] n. 1. The human
X brain, as opposed to computer hardware or software (as in "Wetware
X has at most 7 +/- 2 registers"). 2. Human beings (programmers,
X operators, administrators) attached to a computer system, as
X opposed to the system's hardware or software.
X
X<what> n. The question mark character (`?'). See <ques>. Usage:
X rare, used particularly in conjunction with <wow>.
X
X<wheel> [from Twenex, q.v.] n. A privileged user or <wizard> (sense
X #2). The term was invented on the TENEX operating system, and
X carried over to <TWENEX>, Xerox-IFS, and others. It entered the
X UNIX culture from <TWENEX> and has been gaining popularity there
X (esp. at university sites). Privilege bits are sometimes called
X "wheel bits". The state of being in a privileged logon is
X sometimes called "wheel mode". See also <root>.
X
X<wheel wars> [Stanford University] A period in <larval stage> during
X which student wheels hack each other by attempting to log each
X other out of the system, delete each other's files, and otherwise
X wreak havoc, usually at the expense of the lesser users.
X
X<White Book> n. Syn. <K&R>.
X
X<whizzy> (sometimes `wizzy') [Sun] adj. A <cuspy> program; usually
X feature-rich and well presented.
X
X<WIBNI> Bell Labs, Wouldn't It Be Nice If] n. What most requirements
X documents/specifications consist entirely of. Compare <IWBNI>.
X
X<widget> n. 1. A meta-thing. Used to stand for a real object in
X didactic examples (especially database tutorials). Legend has it
X that the original widgets were holders for buggy whips. 2. [poss.
X from "window gadget"] A user interface object in X Window System
X graphical user interfaces.
X
X<wiggles> n. [scientific computation] In solving partial differential
X equations by finite difference and similar methods, wiggles are
X sawtooth (up-down-up-down) oscillations at the shortest wavelength
X representable on the grid. If an algorithm is unstable, this is
X often the most unstable waveform, so it grows to dominate the
X solution. Alternatively, stable (though inaccurate) wiggles can be
X generated near a discontinuity by a Gibbs phenomenon.
X
X<WIMP environment> n. [acronymic from Window, Icon, Mouse, Pointer] A
X graphical-user-interface based environment, as described by a
X hacker who prefers command-line interfaces for their superior
X flexibility and extensibility.
X
X<win> [from MIT jargon] 1. v. To succeed. A program wins if no
X unexpected conditions arise. 2. Success, or a specific instance
X thereof. A pleasing outcome. A <feature>. 3. <big win>: n.
X Serendipity. Emphatic forms: "moby win", "super win",
X "hyper-win" (often used interjectively as a reply). For some
X reason "suitable win" is also common at MIT, usually in reference
X to a satisfactory solution to a problem. 4. <win big> v. To
X experience serendipity. "I went shopping and won big; there was a
X two-for-one sale." 5. <win win> interj. Expresses pleasure at a
X <win>. Oppose <lose>.
X
X<winnage> /win'@j/ n. The situation when a lossage is corrected, or
X when something is winning. Quite rare. Usage: also quite rare.
X
X<winner> 1. n. An unexpectedly good situation, program, programmer or
X person. 2. <real winner>: Often sarcastic, but also used as high
X praise.
X
X<winnitude> /win'i-tood/ n. The quality of winning (as opposed to
X <winnage>, which is the result of winning). "That's really great!
X Boy, what winnitude!"
X
X<wirehead> n. [prob. from notional SF slang for an electrical brain
X stimulation junkie] 1. A hardware hacker, especially one who
X concentrates on communications hardware. 2. An expert in local
X area networks. A wirehead can be a network software wizard too,
X but will always have the ability to deal with network hardware,
X down to the smallest component. Wireheads are known for their
X ability to lash up an Ethernet terminator from spare resistors, for
X example.
X
X<wish list> n. A list of desired features or bug fixes that probably
X won't get done for a long time, usually because the person
X responsible for the code is too busy or can't think of a clean way
X to do it.
X
X<wizard> n. 1. A person who knows how a complex piece of software or
X hardware works (that is, who <grok>s it); esp. someone who can
X find and fix bugs quickly in an emergency. This term differs
X somewhat from <hacker>. Someone is a hacker if he has general
X hacking ability, but is only a wizard with respect to something if
X he has specific detailed knowledge of that thing. A good hacker
X could become a wizard for something given the time to study it. 2.
X A person who is permitted to do things forbidden to ordinary
X people. For example, an Adventure wizard at Stanford may play the
X Adventure game during the day, which is forbidden (the program
X simply refuses to play) to most people because it uselessly
X consumes too many <cycle>s. 3. A UNIX expert, esp. a UNIX systems
X programmer. This usage is well enough established that "UNIX
X Wizard" is a recognized job title at some corporations and to most
X headhunters. See <guru>.
X
X<wizard book> n. Abelson and Sussman's "Structure and Interpretation
X of Computer Programs", an excellent CS text used in introductory
X courses at MIT. So called because of the wizard on the cover of
X the MIT Press edition.
X
X<wizard mode> [from nethack] n. A special access mode of a program or
X system, usually passworded, that permits some users godlike
X privileges. Generally not used for operating systems themselves
X (<root mode> or <wheel mode> would be used instead).
X
X<wizardly> adj. Pertaining to wizards. A wizardly <feature> is one
X that only a wizard could understand or use properly.
X
X<WOMBAT> [Waste Of Money, Brains and Time] adj. Applied to problems
X which are both profoundly <uninteresting> in themselves and
X unlikely to benefit anyone interesting even if solved. Often used
X in fanciful constructions such as "wrestling with a wombat". See
X also <crawling horror>, <SMOP>. Also note the rather different
X usage as a meta-syntactic variable under <COMMONWEALTH HACKISH>
X
X<wonky> /won'kee/ [from Australian slang] adj. Yet another approximate
X synonym for <broken>. Specifically connotes a malfunction which
X produces behavior seen as crazy, humorous, or amusingly perverse.
X "That was the day the printer's font logic went wonky and
X everybody's listings came out in Elvish." Also in "wonked out".
X See <funky>, <demented>.
X
X<worm> [from `tapeworm' in John Brunner's "Shockwave Rider", via
X XEROX PARC] n. A cracker program that propagates itself over a
X network, reproducing itself as it goes. See <virus>. Perhaps the
X best known example was RTM's `Internet Worm' in '88, a `benign' one
X that got out of control and shut down hundreds of Suns and VAXen
X nationwide. See also <cracker>, <trojan horse>, <ice>.
X
X<wound around the axle> adj. In an infinite loop. Often used by older
X computer types.
X
X<wow> See <excl>.
X
X<wrap around> v. (also n. `wraparound' and v. shorthand "wrap") 1.
X This is "jargon" in its normal computer usage, i.e., describing
X the action of a counter that starts over at 0 or at <minus
X infinity> after its maximum value has been reached, and continues
X incrementing, either because it is programmed to do so, or because
X of an overflow like a car's odometer starting over at 0. 2. To
X <change phase> gradually and continuously by maintaining a steady
X wake-sleep cycle somewhat longer than 24 hours, e.g. living 6 long
X days in a week.
X
X<write-only code> [a play on "read-only memory"] n. Code
X sufficiently arcane, complex, or ill-structured that it cannot be
X modified or even comprehended by anyone but the original author. A
X <Bad Thing>.
X
X<write-only language> n. A language with syntax (or semantics)
X sufficiently dense and bizarre that any routine of significant size
X is <write-only code>. A sobriquet often applied to APL,
X though INTERCAL certainly deserves it more.
X
X<write-only memory> n. The obvoius antonym to "read-only memory".
X In frustration with the long and seemingly useless chain of
X approvals required of component specifications, during which no
X actual checking seemed to occur, an engineer at Signetics created a
X specification for a write-only memory, and included it with a bunch
X of other specifications to be approved. This inclusion only came
X to the attention of Signetics when regular customers started
X calling and asking for pricing information. Signetics published a
X corrected edition of the data book, and requested the return of the
X "erroneous" ones. Later, about 1974, Signetics bought a double
X page spread in Electronics magazine's April issue, and used the
X spec as an April Fools' day joke. Instead of the more conventional
X characteristic curves, the 25120 "fully encoded, 9046 x N, Random
X Access, write-only-memory" data sheet included diagrams of "bit
X capacity vs. Temp.", "Iff vs. Vff", "Number of pins remaining
X vs. number of socket insertions" and "AQL vs. selling price".
X The 25120 required a 6.3 VAC VFF supply, a +10V VCC, and VDD of 0V,
X +/- 2%.
X
X<Wrong Thing, the> n. A design, action or decision which is clearly
X incorrect or inappropriate. Often capitalized; always emphasized
X in speech as if capitalized. The opposite of the Right Thing; more
X generally, anything that is not the Right Thing. In cases were
X "the good is the enemy of the best", the merely good, while good,
X is nevertheless the Wrong Thing.
X
X<wugga wugga> /wuh'guh wuh'guh/ n. Imaginary sound that a computer
X program makes as it labors with a tedious or difficult task.
X Compare <cruncha cruncha cruncha>, <grind> (sense #4).
X
X<WYSIWYG> /wiz'ee-wig/ adj. User interface (usu. text or graphics
X editor) characterized as being "what you see is what you get;" as
X opposed to one which uses more-or-less obscure commands which do
X not result in immediate visual feedback. The term can be mildly
X derogatory, as it is often used to refer to dumbed-down interfaces
X targeted at non-programmers, while a hacker has no fear of obscure
X commands. On the other hand, EMACS was one of the very first
X WYSIWYG editors, replacing (actually, at first overlaying) the
X extremely obscure, command-based TECO.
X
X {= X =}
X
X<x> /eks/ n. 1. Used in various speech and writing contexts in roughly
X its algebraic sense of "unknown within a set defined by context"
X (compare `N'). Thus: the abbreviation 680x0 stands for 68000,
X 68010, 68020, 68030 or 68040, and 80x86 stands for 80186, 80286
X 80386 or 80486 (note that a UNIX hacker might write these as
X 680[01234]0 and 80[1234]86 or 680?0 and 80?86 respectively; see
X GLOB). 2. An over-sized, over-featured, over-engineered window
X system developed at MIT and widely used on UNIX systems.
X
X<xor> /eks'ohr/ conj. Exclusive or. "A xor B" means "A or B, but
X not both". Example: "I want to get cherry pie xor a banana
X split." This derives from the technical use of the term as a
X function on truth-values that is true if either of two arguments is
X true but not both.
X
X<xref> /eks'ref/ v.,n. Hackish standard abbreviation for
X `cross-reference'.
X
X<XXX> /eks-eks-eks/ n. A marker that attention is needed. Commonly
X used in program comments to indicate areas that are <kluged up> or
X need to be. Some hackers liken XXX code to pornographic movies
X that contain the symbol.
X
X<xyzzy> /eks-wie-zee-zee-wie/, /ik-zi'zee/, /eks-wie-ziz'ee/ [from the
X ADVENT game] adj. The <canonical> "magic word". This comes from
X <ADVENT>, in which the idea is to explore an underground cave with
X many rooms to collect treasure. If you type XYZZY at the
X appropriate time, you can move instantly between two otherwise
X distant points. If, therefore, you encounter some bit of MAGIC,
X you might remark on this quite succinctly by saying simply
X "XYZZY"! Example: "Ordinarily you can't look at someone else's
X screen if he has protected it, but if you type
X quadruple-bucky-clear the system will let you do it anyway."
X "XYZZY!" XYZZY has actually been implemented as an undocumented
X no-op command on several OSs; in Data General's AOS/VS, for
X example, it would typically respond "Nothing happens." just as
X <ADVENT> did if the magic was invoked at the wrong spot or before a
X player had performed the action that enabled the word. See
X <plugh>.
X
X {= Y =}
X
X<YA*> ["Yet Another"] abbrev. In hackish acronyms this almost
X invariably expands to <Yet Another> following the precedent set by
X UNIX `yacc(1)'. See <YABA>.
X
X<YABA> /ya'buh/ [Cambridge University] n. Yet Another Bloody Acronym.
X Whenever some program is being named, someone invariably suggests
X that it be given a name which is acronymic. The response from
X those with a trace of originality is to remark ironically that the
X proposed name would then be "YABA-compatible". Also used in
X response to questions like "What is WYSIWYG?" "YABA." See also
X <TLA>.
X
X<YAUN> /yawn/ [Acronym for "Yet Another UNIX Nerd"] n. Reported from
X the San Diego Computer Society (predominently a microcomputer
X users' group) as a good-natured punning insult aimed at UNIX
X zealots.
X
X<Yet Another> adj. [UNIX] From UNIX's `yacc(1)' ("Yet Another Compiler-
X Compiler") LALR parser generator. 1. Of your own work: humorous
X allusion often used in titles to acknowledge that the topic is not
X original -- though the content is. As in "Yet Another AI Group"
X or "Yet Another Simulated Annealing Algorithm". 2. Of other's
X work: describes something of which there are far too many. See
X also <YA*>, <YABA>, <YAUN>.
X
X<You are not expected to understand this.> cav. [UNIX] Canonical
X comment describing something <magic> or too complicated to bother
X explaining properly. From a comment in the context-switching code
X of the V6 UNIX kernel.
X
X<You know you've been hacking too long when...> The set-up line
X for a genre of one-liners told by hackers about themselves. These
X include the following:
X
X * not only do you check your email more often than your paper
X mail, but you remember your <network address> faster than your
X postal one.
X * your <SO> kisses you on the neck and the first thing you
X think is "Uh, oh, <priority interrupt>".
X * you go to balance your checkbook and discover that you're
X doing it in octal.
X * your computers have a higher street value than your car.
X * `round numbers' are powers of 2, not 10.
X * you've woken up more than once to recall of a dream in
X some programming language.
X * you realize you've never met half of your best friends.
X
X All but one of these have been reliably reported as hacker traits
X (some of them quite often). Even hackers may have trouble spotting
X the ringer.
X
X<Your mileage may vary.> cav. [from the standard disclaimer attached
X to EPA mileage ratings by American car manufacturers] A ritual
X warning often found in UNIX freeware distributions. Translates
X roughly as "Hey, I tried to write this portably but who
X *knows* what'll happen on your system?"
X
X<Yow!> /yow/ [from Zippy the Pinhead comix] interj. Favored hacker
X expression of humorous surprise or emphasis. "Yow! Check out what
X happens when you twiddle the foo option on this display hack!"
X Compare <gurfle>.
X
X<yoyo mode> n. State in which the system is said to be when it rapidly
X alternates several times between being up and being down.
X
X<Yu-Shiang whole fish> /yoo-shyang hohl fish/ n. obs. The character
X gamma (extended SAIL ASCII 11), which with a loop in its tail looks
X like a little fish swimming down the page. The term is actually
X the name of a Chinese dish in which a fish is cooked whole (not
X <parse>d) and covered with Yu Shiang sauce. Usage: was used
X primarily by people on the MIT LISP Machine, which could display
X this character on the screen. Tends to elicit incredulity from
X people who hear about it second-hand.
X
X {= Z =}
X
X<zap> 1. n. Spiciness. 2. v. To make food spicy. 3. v. To make
X someone "suffer" by making his food spicy. (Most hackers love
X spicy food. Hot-and-sour soup is considered wimpy unless it makes
X you blow your nose for the rest of the meal.) 4. ZAPPED adj.
X Spicy. This term is used to distinguish between food that is hot
X (in temperature) and food that is "hot", that is, spicy. For
X example, the Chinese appetizer Bon Bon Chicken is a kind of chicken
X salad that is cold but zapped. See also <ORIENTAL FOOD>, <laser
X chicken>. 5. To modify, usually to correct. Also implies surgical
X precision. (In some communities, used to describe modifying a
X program's binary executable.) 6. To erase or reset.
X
X<zen> v. To figure out something by meditation, or by a sudden flash
X of enlightenment. Originally applied to bugs, but occasionally
X applied to problems of life in general. "How'd you figure out the
X buffer allocation problem?" "Oh, I zenned it". Contrast <grok>,
X which connotes a time-extended version of zenning a system.
X Compare <hack mode>.
X
X<zero> v. 1. To set to zero. Usually said of small pieces of data,
X such as bits or words. 2. To erase; to discard all data from.
X Said of disks and directories, where "zeroing" need not involve
X actually writing zeroes throughout the area being zeroed. One may
X speak of something being "logically zeroed" rather than being
X "physically zeroed". See <scribble>.
X
X<zeroth> /zee'rohth/ adj. [C] First. Comes from C's 0-based indexing
X of arrays.
X
X<zipperhead> [IBM] n. A person with a closed mind.
X
X<zombie> [UNIX] n. A process which has died but has not yet
X relinquished its process table slot (because the parent process
X hasn't executed a `wait(2)' for it yet). These show up in `ps(1)'
X listings occasionally. Compare <orphan>.
X
X<zork> /zork/ n. Second of the great early experiments in computer
X fantasy gaming; see <ADVENT>. Originally written on MIT-DMS during
X the late seventies, later distributed with BSD UNIX and
X commercialized as "The Zork Trilogy" by Infocom.
X
X
X
XAppendix A: Hacker Folklore
X***************************
X
XThis appendix contains several fables and legends which illuminate
Xthe meaning of various entries in the main text. All of this material
Xexcept THE UNTIMELY DEMISE OF MABEL THE MONKEY appeared in the 1983
Xpaper edition of the Jargon File (but not in the previous on-line
Xversions).
X
XThe Meaning of "Hack"
X*********************
X
X"The word HACK doesn't really have 69 different meanings", according
Xto Phil Agre, an MIT hacker. "In fact, HACK has only one meaning, an
Xextremely subtle and profound one which defies articulation. Which
Xconnotation is implied by a given use of the word depends in similarly
Xprofound ways on the context. Similar remarks apply to a couple of
Xother hacker words, most notably RANDOM."
X
XHacking might be characterized as "an appropriate application of
Xingenuity". Whether the result is a quick-and-dirty patchwork job or
Xa carefully crafted work of art, you have to admire the cleverness
Xthat went into it.
X
XAn important secondary meaning of `hack' is `a creative practical
Xjoke'. This kind of hack is often easier to explain to non-hackers
Xthan the programming kind. Accordingly, here are three examples of
Xpractical joke hacks:
X
XIn 1961, students from Caltech (California Institute of Technology in
XPasadena) hacked the Rose Bowl football game. One student posed as a
Xreporter and "interviewed" the director of the University of
XWashington card stunts (such stunts involve people in the stands who
Xhold up colored cards to make pictures). The reporter learned exactly
Xhow the stunts were operated, and also that the director would be out
Xto dinner later.
X
XWhile the director was eating, the students (who called themselves the
X"Fiendish Fourteen") picked a lock and stole one of the direction
Xsheets for the card stunts. They then had a printer run off 2300
Xcopies of the sheet. The next day they picked the lock again and
Xstole the master plans for the stunts, large sheets of graph paper
Xcolored in with the stunt pictures. Using these as a guide, they
Xcarefully made "corrections" for three of the stunts on the
Xduplicate instruction sheets. Finally, they broke in once more,
Xreplacing the stolen master plans and substituting the stack of
Xaltered instruction sheets for the original set.
X
XThe result was that three of the pictures were totally different.
XInstead of spelling "WASHINGTON", the word "CALTECH" was flashed.
XAnother stunt showed the word "HUSKIES", the Washington nickname,
Xbut spelled it backwards. And what was supposed to have been a
Xpicture of a husky instead showed a beaver. (Both Caltech and MIT use
Xthe beaver as a mascot. Beavers are nature's engineers.)
X
XAfter the game, the Washington faculty athletic representative said,
X"Some thought it ingenious; others were indignant." The Washington
Xstudent body president remarked, "No hard feelings, but at the time
Xit was unbelievable. We were amazed."
X
XThis is now considered a classic hack, particularly because revising
Xthe direction sheets constituted a form of programming not unlike
Xcomputer programming.
X
XAnother classic hack:
X
XOne winter, late at night, an MIT fraternity hosed down an underpass
Xthat is part of a commuter expressway near MIT. This produced an ice
Xslick that "trapped" a couple of small cars: they didn't have the
Xmomentum or traction to climb out of the underpass. While it was
Xclever to apply some simple science to trap a car, it was also very
Xdangerous as it could have caused a collision. Therefore this was a
Xvery poor hack overall. (There is another story about an even less
Xappealing hack in which some MIT students used thermite to weld a
Xtrolley car to its tracks. The story may be apocryphal, however.)
X
XAnd yet another:
X
XOn November 20, 1982, MIT hacked the Harvard-Yale football game. Just
Xafter Harvard's second touchdown against Yale in the second quarter, a
Xsmall black ball popped up out of the ground at the 40-yard line, and
Xgrew bigger, and bigger, and bigger. The letters "MIT" appeared all
Xover the ball. As the players and officials stood around gawking, the
Xball grew to six feet in diameter and then burst with a bang and a
Xcloud of white smoke.
X
SHAR_EOF
chmod 0644 jsplit.aj || echo "restore of jsplit.aj fails"
if [ $TOUCH = can ]
then
touch -am 0103154591 jsplit.aj
fi
exit 0
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