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What Are Some Terms Heard Only in Programming?

by Oct 28, 2015Programming

A programming term is considered to be an important command that helps to communicate instructions to the device. These terms are particularly used to control the behaviour of the program or the algorithms that are expressed in it. These terms provide the programming language a medium to cater function and target, abstractions and expressive power.

So, in most practical contexts of programming, certain terms can help programmers understand the pivotal aspects of programming. This means that the terms are crucial for the operation of any programming languages.

Here, we are going to focus on the importance of some terms that are head only in programming along with the difference they can bring to the languages or algorithms. These are quite interesting terms that do help programmers daily to an amazing extent.

1.  Yoda Conditions
The Yoda condition is a peculiar term where the programmer encrypts code in the opposite direction. For instance, during this phase they may write “Variable = Constant”, though it is the silliest thing that you might have ever heard, but in terms of programming it’s a wonder tool to give codes a perfect path.

So, when variable is equal to constant then programming language becomes a grand success!

2. Smug Report
A smug is the one who takes extreme pride of one’s knowledge, achievements or wisdom, but what does that have to do with programming? Well, in terms of programming, smug report is recognized as a bug.  This bug is usually formed when a programmer who thinks that he/she knows everything about the system but in reality they are aware about nothing.

If you get a report from your co-workers who thinks they know pretty much about programming but in reality they no nothing then that’s a smug.

3. Hydra
It’s not about the fresh water multi-cellular organism- Hydra. Rather in programming it’s about a bug that introduces new bugs. Just like the re-generation ability of the organism. When a programmer tries to fix a bug, but as a result receives two new bugs then they are named to be Hydra. The worst thing about Hydra is that these are those dreadful bugs that can never be fixed.

Hence, when you are struggling with bugs and don’t know what to do, then that is nothing but Hydra.

4. Hooker Code
In programming every code is complex, but then there are certain codes that are too complicated these codes are better known as the Hooker Code. Even programming masters fail to tackle the Hooker Codes because of which the entire system becomes instable. Though these codes are rare, but if you come across one then keep them away from your applications.

5. Higgs Boson
The Higgs Boson is yet another bug that is based on the phenomenon of physics. Hypothetically, this bug is thought of to be based on certain conditions but practically it is not that easy to produce, just like the God’s own particle. This form of bug is dedicated to the work and theories of Higgs Boson and is something that people often hear in the world of programming.

6. Heartbleed
The Heartbleed is a security bug that causes serious vulnerability of cryptographic software library or OpenSSL. With this bug, crucial information and protected data can be stolen easily, under normal working conditions.  The bug uses SSL/TLS to take over the security and privacy of the network and thus gives access to instant messaging, emails, web and some important VPNs (Virtual Private Network).

When the bug makes its way to the system it exploits the data which causes improper input validation by implementing TLS heartbeat extensions. The name of the bug is derived from heartbeat that creates a situation which affects the core of the system.

7. Shellshock
Even known as the Bashdoor, this is another unique bug that belongs to the family of security bugs. The work of Shellshock is quite similar to that of Heartbleed. With this bug the attackers can have unauthorized access to various files of the system.

Shellshock is one of the most popular forms of bugs that has attacked over 1.5 million programs till date. The work of this bug does not end here, as there are reports that indicate incredible advancements in the bugs that can attack any system and make them vulnerable in just a few seconds.

8. Refuctoring
If you are a programmer who loves to personalize codes then you probably are refuctoring them. Well, refuctoring is a common process made by programmers where they tend to create small changes in a series of codes. These changes are so complicated that it becomes un-maintainable. This means no one will be able to handle these types of codes except you.

9. Jimmy
This is perhaps one of the most commonly used terms in programming. Jimmy refers to those programmers who are clueless about their work. It does not mean that they are not ambitious about their work, but the thing is though their working with a set of programming languages but they do not know where it is going to take them.

Use of code, sets of expression and algorithms, everything seems like a rocket science for them. Therefore, when you are a new developer and are not aware about the know-hows of programming then you are a jimmy.

10. Alice & Bob
Without a doubt they are every programmer’s friend. These two names are referred as archetypal characters that form an integral part of cryptography. Alice & Bob are placeholder names that are basically used for convenience and better understanding. For example

1. Bob get’s Alice’s public key from company’s directory.
2. Bob sends a message to Alice encrypted with Alice’s public key
3. Alice can use this secret and decode it.

For almost any type of computer security or cryptography, you will always have these two names by your side. This is what makes them a common term that is heard in programming, every now and then.

There you have it! These are the typical terms that are implemented by programmers and always remain to be a part of their programming journey.