Annoying terminolgies in CS field and...

... some nice ones.

I wanted to write about this for a long time, but kept forgetting about it.

Note: Non-computer science readers: Please forgive me. You may not be familiar with some of these terms. But hey!, you would atleast know whether they are annoying or not!.

Disclaimer: I am not against any particular technology or platform.

Below are some terms frequently used in CS and IT fields which annoy me to any extent - although I use it so very often. Reasons maybe that I cannot stand listening to un-necessary jargon (by the way, what is the non-technical term of jargon?), or maybe I have heard some of these terms being used and abused a lot, or may simply be since they just don't make any sense. So, here goes:

1. Server: A server (in the real world) is someone who serves people; who awaits orders. Now, when did this "server" become the all-powerful entity in an infrastructure?. "Oh, is this the server?. Wow!, looks menacing.. must have atleast a ton of RAM in it". "Sorry.. server is down.. you cannot complete the work". Bah!.

2. foobar: Now, I really want to scissor-kick the person who invented this term. Believe it or not, this word was one of the main reasons why I did not proceed to learn C++. The book was filled with foobars. I think I hate this term the most.

3. plug-in: Another well abused term (mostly in the Java community). There is something inherently plugged-in this term which makes my blood boil!.

4. Any and every software engineering terms: What I call as "bajanai terms". I have met atleast N number of CS people who said they hate this field. "Specifications, estimates, requirements".. kadha adikaadha.. Please code already!!!.

5. Hello World: Need I explain this?.

6. IT: and all other fancy abbreviations (why is abbreviation such a long word?). When did good ol' Income Tax become Information Technology?. Please stop stealing historical shortforms.

7. Coding: I don't know why I exactly I hate this, but I would anyday prefer "implementing" or "programming" or even "writing software" in place of this. Coding sounds too cheap and local.

8. Samba: Ok, Ok. This is definitely because I don't like that genre of music.

9. *NIX: What's up with that?. Hey, either write UNIX or specify which particular flavor. Don't remind us that you are a nerd.

10. C#: I just completed my Java course and guess what happened?. A new technology called C#. I felt so cheated. :-(

11. GUI: I don't mind saying this as a short form, but please don't say it as a word. Gui.. gui.. so irritating.

12. On-Site: This is a term used by software professionals back in India. As I recall reading somewhere, it is now a fashion to mention "On-site" rather than "abroad" or "overseas". Saying on-site makes it sound as if the person is going to another country (U.S) and would be physically present ONLY in the aapees there.

13. Ontology: This is kind of a personal observation. In a recent conference I attended, I saw this word being mentioned/used/implemented by every second guy. Talk about overkilling!.

If you are thinking: "Lookee.. it's a self-hating CS guy", please don't. I myself use most of these terms several times in a week, and put a smile behind it too!.

On the other hand, there are some terms which I like a lot and I put a sincere smile when I say it:

1. Concatenation: ah!. such a nice sounding word. That's what we need in today's world. Joining, co-operation. How can one not like this word?.

2. Time complexity: Efficiency is very important in what one does. It's not enough if we work hard, we need to work smart. Time and Timing is very critical. How can one not like this word?.

3. Information Integration: Lots of disparate information are scattered all over the place. How to bring them all together. What a wonderful concept!. Who would'nt like this one?.

4. Java: Hee hee. I am sneaky. Its the only Object-oriented language I know. And I spent money to learn it. So, I better like it!. Hee hee!.
Also, complements next point.

5. Object-Orientedness: Complements above point.

6. Data Mining: Now, the person who invented this term is a genius. It could have been data digging, data exhuming, or umpteen other words. But only DATA MINING could refer to the process of getting precious knowledge from raw and otherwise useless (integrated) data.

7. Hashing: I am not sure why I like this term, but the concept of hashing fascinates me. Such an efficient process in search and retrieval. May also be because I call "#" symbol as hash instead of "pound". Ha ha .. take that!.

8. Schema: Good ol' data base terminolgy. A humbling term, which reminds one to keep his/her feet firmly on the ground and organize their data sensibly.

9. blog: hee hee.. cheap shot!..

Just for fun!!.