(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
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 creeping elegance,
creeping featuritis). See item 176 under HAKMEM, which
describes a banana problem in a Dissociated Press
implementation. Also, see one-banana problem for a
superficially similar but unrelated usage.
(1995-01-31)
Nearby terms:
Banach space « Banach-Tarski paradox « banana label « banana problem » bandwidth » bang » bang on
