|
|
|
|
|
|
|
preprocessor, LISP, or one of several special-purpose languages built around a macro-expansion facility (such as TEX or Unix's [nt]roff suite). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indeed, the meaning has drifted enough that the collective macros is now sometimes used for code in any special-purpose application control language (whether or not the language is actually translated by text expansion), and for macro-like entities such as the 'keyboard macros' supported in some text editors (and PC TSR or Macintosh INIT/CDEV keyboard enhancers). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
macro- pref. Large. Opposite of micro-. In the mainstream and among other technical cultures (for example, medical people) this competes with the prefix mega-, but hackers tend to restrict the latter to quantification. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
macrology /mak-rol'i-jee/ n. 1. Set of usually complex or crufty macros, e.g., as part of a large system written in LISP, TECO, or (less commonly) assembler. 2. The art and science involved in comprehending a macrology in sense 1. Sometimes studying the macrology of a system is not unlike archeology, ecology, or theology, hence the sound-alike construction. See also boxology. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
macrotape /mak'roh-tayp/ n. An industry-standard reel of tape, as opposed to a microtape. See also round tape. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
maggotbox /mag' t-boks/ n. See Macintrash. This is even more derogatory. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
magic adj. 1. As yet unexplained, or too complicated to explain; compare automagically and (Arthur C.) Clarke's Third Law: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." "TTY echoing is controlled by a large number of magic bits." "This routine magically computes the parity of an 8-bit byte in three instructions." 2. Characteristic of something that works although no one really understands why (this is especially called black magic). 3. [Stanford] A feature not generally publicized that allows something otherwise impossible, or a feature formerly in that category but now unveiled. Compare black magic, wizardly, deep magic, heavy wizardry. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For more about hackish 'magic', see A Story About 'Magic' in Appendix A. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
magic cookie n. [Unix] 1. Something passed between routines or programs that enables the receiver to perform some operation; a capability ticket or |
|
|
|
|
|