Artificial Intelligence

 

An algorithm by which the computer gives the illusion of thinking like a human. Also, the action of a character in a game as it reacts to other object in a game.

 

Automagic

 

When something works and you don't know why.

The junk left on the screen or in files after a program dies. Originally referred to the core dump file generated on early operating systems.

Bit

 

The smallest unit that can carry information in a computer - this is a

base 2 number, equaling either 0 or 1.

 

BitBlt

 

BIT BLock Transfer, a bit string move, usually referring to moving the

bits that represent an image from memory to display. Also known as a

"blit".

 

Bitmap

 

Arrays of data specifying the color of each pixel in a rectangular image of arbitrary size.

 

Blit

 

To copy an image (or part of an image) from one place to another. See

BitBlt.

 

Bugfairy

 

Someone who reports bugs in you program. Often a beta-tester. But, if the testing is being done off site then the person who sends bug reports to you.

and text that is written in a programming language such that a compiler may read it and execute a program.

 

Coding Cramps

 

When you're fingers cramp up from too much typing.

 

Collision Detection

 

Method of checking if two or more objects come in contact with each

other.

 

Coordinate

 

A location, or point in space, which may be addressed using arbitrary units.

 

Crash

 

anything that ultimately results in the pressing of the "reset" button.

 

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  D

Decoder Ring
 
Traditionally, a decoder ring is something you get out of a cereal box that has a translucent red window used for reading "secret" messages on the box's back panel. However, when used by a programmer, it often refers to the skills involved when sifting through someone else's code.
 
Used: "Microsoft's code was totally hacked, but I broke out my decoder ring and figured out how to initialize DirectPlay."
 
Dope Phat Approved
 
When the office wanna-be justifies your existence with the approval of your work, as if you didn't know your place in the universe until they assured you that you were in fact, Dope Phat Approved.
 

Engine

 

Code used as the basis for building a game, including the various utilities and a skeleton game.

 

anything that goes wrong (and you know it will) when an important person is viewing the running code, AKA "a bug".

 

use: "the bouncing ball can get stuck inside the wall; it will crash if you put the mouse cursor below the bottom of the screen; and it will hang up if you loose --all of these things are features."

 

Fix All

 

Add 500 to everything.

 

Flipping

 

Changing the display start address of video memory, so that a

completely new part of video memory is visible. Also known as page

flipping or page swapping.

 

Frame

 

A sequence of events ending in a page flip. Also known as an animation

frame.

 

Frame Rate

 

Speed of animation, usually expressed in frames per second.

 

Freeze

 

anything that ultimately results in the pressing of the "reset" button.

 

GIF

 

An image file format where the image is compressed using LZW compression.

 

Goto Nazi

 

A person who is a crusader against "goto"s.

 

Graphics Mode

 

A PC mode where the screen is addressed in pixels.

 

Handle

 

A handle is a pointer to a pointer.

 

Hang Up

 

anything that ultimately results in the pressing of the "reset" button.

 

H.F.O.

 

Huge F***ing Oversight.

 

Hot Spot

 

An active area of the screen, particularly one which causes some action when a mouse cursor moves over it or clicks on it.

Ice Crispies
 
A game programmers Optimized version of breakfast.  The dish contains Rice Crispies and Ice Cream, which eliminates the need to add both Milk and Sugar.  (donated by Big Mike)
 

Usually seen as and abbreviation "K" means 1000 to everyone but computer people who think it means 1024. It as been suggested that K means 1012, plus or minus 12.

 

Kong-Fu

 

Used when referring to hacking skills.

 

Used: "You're Kong-Fu's the best." -X-Files

 

 

Lock Up

 

anything that ultimately results in the pressing of the "reset" button.

 

Microsoft

 

A substitute for a curse or swear word.

 

use: "Microsoft!!!!  I just lost my keyboard input"

 

Mode X

 

A 256-color planar or tweaked VGA graphics mode popularized by

Michael Abrash.

 

Modular Design

 

the practice of writing a program in separate blocks that are independent from each other.

 

 

NDA

Non-disclosure agreement. A legal document signed by two parties
agreeing they will not disclose technical or financial secrets. An NDA is not a substitute for trust.
 
Ninja Bug
 
when your game is running great and then WHAM!!  out of nowhere, it just crashes.  That's when you know you've been hit by a ninja bug.

 

Off screen video memory

 

Available memory on the video card that is not currently visible on the monitor screen. It is used for storage, animation, scrolling, and special effects. See Hidden Page.

 

Operating System, OS

 

The lowest level software on a computer. The software that controls access to physical devices. The software that loads can controls execution of other programs.

 

Out-of-school-power-tool

Out-of-school-power-fool

 

A young, bright eyed, highly educated, highly skilled, enthusiastic worker with no life. A person who is so interested in the work that they will work long hours for low wages on salary. Guaranteed for 60 to 80 hours per week. Can only be used for 3 to 5 years before they start asking for a real salary and stock options or burn out altogether.

 

PEBCAC

 

"Problem Exists Between Chair And Computer", which of course refers to the user, Common help desk talk.

Platform

 

The combination of the hardware and all the software that your game runs on.

Plastering

 

Programming by adding patches and hacks to a piece of code that is to fragile to modify in any straight forward manner. Usually means you wish you could find the original programmer and make his life as miserable as he has made yours.

 

Pointer

 

In programming a pointer is the address of another piece of data. In other words, a pointer variable contains the address of another variable.

Retrace

 

A total screen update, usually happening at the rate of about 60 frames per second.

 

Ronin Bug

 

Bugs that appear and take vengeance for their master's death after you have successfully located and eliminated a ninja bug.

 

RPG

 

Role Playing Game. Anything from "Dungeons and Dragons", to "Final Fantasy", to "Zelda".

 

Screen origin

 

The pixel coordinates of the upper left corner of the screen.

 

Scrolling

 

Moving the screen smoothly an any direction.

 

Segue

 

(pronounced "seg-way") A transitional device that helps one sequence

flow smoothly into another. In a game, a segue usually occurs between

levels and involves story line development, often in the form of

cinematics.

 

Shareware

 

A method of marketing software where a program is distributed freely,

and users may try it before paying for it.

 

Shelfware

 

Software sold through regular retail channels, especially when marketed by an established commercial publishing house such as Electronic Arts.

 

SNAFU ("snafoo")

 

An acronym for "Situation Normal: All F****d Up"

 

Sorting

 

"here are some numbers -we put them in order -it's a game!" spoken by Abu Samir.

 

Spaghetti Code

 

just about any example code you will ever see!  Spaghetti code is code that was programmed so badly that you swear it's maker had a relative named "goto".

 

 

Special Effect

 

Any unusual or special visual image or sound or music.

 

Sprite

 

A bitmap of an arbitrary shape that can be moved across complex

backgrounds without flicker or damage to the background image.

 

Sprite List

 

Several related sprites, usually kept in a single file or buffer.

 

Sprite Editor

 

A program for creating, viewing, and modifying sprites.

 

Stupid Programmer Limitations

 

Refers to the limitations put on a game's artist due to memory, frame rate, bit count, etc.  (Created by a lead programmer at Bioware.)

The Wolf

 

Referring to the person you turn to when you're on your last limb with a problem.  Originally borrowed from the film "PulpFiction."

 

use: "It's time to call in ...The Wolf... -he fixes problems".

 

Tile Attribute

 

A bit value used to specify the characteristics of a tile, such as solid on top.

Transparent

 

Pixels in a rectangular blit which are not displayed, so that the

background shows through. Transparency it either on or off, there is no in between.

 

Translucent

 

Pixels in a rectangular blit which modify the colors already in the buffer so that the background is tinted.  Translucency has a vast number of steps between on and off.

YACC ("yak")

 

Yet Another Compiler Compiler.  A program that's only function is to simulate another programing language.  For example, one might write a YACC that reads and executes 68k Assembly commands even though the program itself was coded in C.