WhatIs

/jig/ or /gig/

[SI]

n. See quantifiers.

/G-F-R/

vt. [ITS] From 'Grim File Reaper', an ITS and Lisp Machine utility. To remove a file or files according to some program-automated or semi-automatic manual procedure, especially one designed to reclaim mass storage space or reduce name-space clutter (the original GFR actually moved files to tape). Often generalized to pieces of data below file level.

"I used to have his phone number, but I guess I GFRed it."

See also prowler, reaper.

/get a rē(-ə)l kəm-ˈpyü-tər!/

imp. Typical hacker response to news that somebody is having trouble getting work done on a system that (a) is single-tasking, (b) has no hard disk, or (c) has an address space smaller than 4 megabytes. This is as of mid-1991; note that the threshold for 'real computer' rises with time, and it may well be (for example) that machines with character-only displays will be generally considered 'unreal' in a few years (GLS points out that they already are in some circles).

/get a līf/

imp. Hacker-standard way of suggesting that the person to whom you are speaking has succumbed to terminal geekdom (see computer geek). Often heard on USENET, esp. as a way of suggesting that the target is taking some obscure issue of theology too seriously.

/jen'sim/

[from MacLISP for 'generated symbol']

1. v. To invent a new name for something temporary, in such a way that the name is almost certainly not in conflict with one already in use.

2. n. The resulting name. The canonical form of a gensym is 'Gnnnn' where nnnn represents a number; any LISP hacker would recognize G0093 (for example) as a gensym.

3. A freshly generated data structure with a gensymmed name. These are useful for storing or uniquely identifying crufties (see cruft).

/je-nə-ˌrāt/

vt. To produce something according to an algorithm or program or set of rules, or as a (possibly unintended) side effect of the execution of an algorithm or program. The opposite of parse. This term retains its mechanistic connotations (though often humorously) when used of human behavior.

"The guy is rational most of the time, but mention nuclear energy around him and he'll generate infinite flamage."

/G-P-V/

n. Pejorative name for some versions of the GNU project copyleft or General Public License (GPL), which requires that any tools or apps incorporating copylefted code must be source-distributed on the same counter-commercial terms as GNU stuff. Thus it is alleged that the copyleft 'infects' software generated with GNU tools, which may in turn infect other software that reuses any of its code.

/jen-dər men-dər/

n. A cable connector shell with either two male or two female connectors on it, used to correct the mismatches that result when some loser didn't understand the RS232C specification and the distinction between DTE and DCE. Used esp. for RS-232C parts in either the original D-25 or the IBM PC's bogus D-9 format.

/jen/

n.,v. Short for generate, used frequently in both spoken and written contexts.

/gēk au̇t/

vi. To temporarily enter techno-nerd mode while in a non-hackish context, for example at parties held near computer equipment. Especially used when you need to do something highly technical and don't have time to explain:

"Pardon me while I geek out for a moment."

See computer geek.