1. n. obs. The source code for a program, which may be in any
language, as opposed to the linkable or executable binary
produced from it by a compiler. The idea behind the term is that
to a real hacker, a program written in his favorite programming
language is at least as readable as English. Usage: mostly by
old-time hackers, though recognizable in context. Today the
prefereed shorthand is sinply source. 2. The official name of the database
language used by the old Pick Operating System, actually a sort
of crufty, brain-damaged SQL with delusions of grandeur. The name
permitted marketroids to say
"Yes, and you can program our computers in English!" to ignorant
suits without quite running afoul of
the truth-in-advertising laws.
Node:enhancement, Next:ENQ, Previous:English, Up:= E
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enhancement n.
Common marketroid-speak for a
bug fix. This abuse of language is a
popular and time-tested way to turn incompetence into increased
revenue. A hacker being ironic would instead call the fix a feature -- or perhaps save some effort by
declaring the bug itself to be a feature.