spawn n.,vi.
1. [techspeak] In UNIX parlance, to create a child process
from within a process. Technically this is a `fork'; the term
`spawn' is a bit more general and is used for threads
(lightweight processes) as well as traditional heavyweight
processes. 2. In gaming, meant to indicate where (`spawn-point')
and when a player comes to life (or `re-spawns') after being
killed. Opposite of frag.
Node:special-case, Next:speedometer, Previous:spawn, Up:= S
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special-case vt.
To write unique code to handle input to or situations arising
in a program that are somehow distinguished from normal
processing. This would be used for processing of mode switches or
interrupt characters in an interactive interface (as opposed,
say, to text entry or normal commands), or for processing of
hidden flags in the input of
a batch program or filter.