The Jargon File, Version 4.2.2, 20 Aug 2000 by Various
page 132 of 1403 (09%)
page 132 of 1403 (09%)
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Node:banana label, Next:[1033]banana problem, Previous:[1034]bamf, Up:[1035]= B = banana label n. The labels often used on the sides of [1036]macrotape reels, so called because they are shaped roughly like blunt-ended bananas. This term, like macrotapes themselves, is still current but visibly headed for obsolescence. _________________________________________________________________ Node:banana problem, Next:[1037]binary four, Previous:[1038]banana label, Up:[1039]= B = banana problem n. [from the story of the little girl who said "I know how to spell `banana', but I don't know when to stop"]. Not knowing where or when to bring a production to a close (compare [1040]fencepost error). One may say `there is a banana problem' of an algorithm with poorly defined or incorrect termination conditions, or in discussing the evolution of a design that may be succumbing to featuritis (see also [1041]creeping elegance, [1042]creeping featuritis). See item 176 under [1043]HAKMEM, which describes a banana problem in a [1044]Dissociated Press implementation. Also, see [1045]one-banana problem for a superficially similar but unrelated usage. _________________________________________________________________ Node:binary four, Next:[1046]bandwidth, Previous:[1047]banana problem, |
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