Browsing page 11 of new words for August 14, 2009

adjective

• in communication, using a medium other than the current one. For example: discussing some finer point via email, rather than clogging a discussion forum.

  Let's talk about that out-of-band.

  • See more words with the same meaning: computer slang.

  Last edited on Nov 15 2011. Submitted by Walter Rader (Editor) from Sacramento, CA, USA on Nov 15 2011.

origin

• The term comes from communications and telecommunication.

  Last edited on Nov 15 2011. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Aug 14 2009.

adjective

• of input used to test a program or an algorithm, specifically designed to make the test subject perform as poorly as possible.

  Last edited on Nov 15 2011. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Aug 14 2009.

• of a set of circumstances that are likely to adversely affect something, very unlikely to occur.

  Person A: If the user uninstalls and then reinstalls video drivers while their monitor is off, the system will fail to boot.
  
  Person B: Yes, but that's a pathological case.

  Last edited on Nov 15 2011. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Aug 14 2009.

• of a data set, very dissimilar from normal input. Especially one that exposes a bug or algorithmic limitation.
  • See more words with the same meaning: computer slang.

  Last edited on Nov 15 2011. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Aug 14 2009.

adjective

• as bad as possible. The opposite of "optimal."

  My solution was just about as pessimal as possible, but it'll work until version 2.

  • See more words with the same meaning: computer slang.

  Last edited on Nov 11 2011. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Aug 14 2009.

noun

• the internal portions of some system.
  • See more words with the same meaning: computer slang.

  Last edited on Aug 14 2009. Submitted by Walter Rader (Editor) from Sacramento, CA, USA on Aug 14 2009.

• the urinary tract.

  Last edited on May 12 2010. Submitted by Walter Rader (Editor) from Sacramento, CA, USA on Sep 27 2009.

• the digestive system.

  Last edited on May 12 2010. Submitted by Walter Rader (Editor) from Sacramento, CA, USA on Sep 27 2009.

adjective

• of a superior, not knowledgeable about technical matters. See also PHB, pointy-haired boss.

  My pointy-haired boss won't let me connect my Mac laptop to the company network.

  • See more words with the same meaning: computer slang.

  Last edited on Nov 11 2011. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Aug 14 2009.

origin

• From Dilbert's boss in the Dilbert comic strip.

  Last edited on Nov 11 2011. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Aug 14 2009.

noun - uncountable

• a type of shareware that only requires users to send a postcard to the author in order to purchase it.
  • See more words with the same meaning: computer slang.

  Last edited on Nov 11 2011. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Aug 14 2009.

verb - transitive

• to test something before it is released or presented.

  The beta testers have been pound on the new version for a month. It seems solid, so we're going to start building release candidates.

  • See more words with the same meaning: computer slang.

  Last edited on Nov 11 2011. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Aug 14 2009.

verb - transitive

• to add something to the beginning; "prefix". The computing variant of "append".

  To get it to display in monospace font, prepend four spaces to every line.

  • See more words with the same meaning: computer slang.

  Last edited on Nov 11 2011. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Aug 14 2009.