<programming> A program transformation used in functional
programming to implement full laziness. E.g. the function
f x = x + sqrt 4
can be expressed as
f x = let t = sqrt 4 in x + t
but note that t does not depend on the argument x so we can
automatically transform this to
t = sqrt 4
f x = x + t
Making t into a global constant which need only be evaluated
at most once, rather than every time f is called. The general
idea is to float each subexpression as far out (toward the
top level) as possible to maximise sharing.
(1997-07-09)
Nearby terms:
LERP « less than « LessTif « let floating » letterbomb » level 1 cache » level 2 cache
letterbomb definition
<messaging> 1. An e-mail message containing live data
intended to do nefarious things to the recipient's computer or
terminal. It is possible, for example, to send letterbombs
that will lock up some specific kinds of terminals when they
are viewed, so thoroughly that the user must turn the terminal
off to unwedge it. Under Unix, a letterbomb can also try to
get part of its contents interpreted as a shell command. The
results of this could range from silly to tragic.
See also Trojan horse; compare nastygram, talk bomb.
2. Loosely, a mailbomb.
[Jargon File]
(1998-01-16)
Nearby terms:
less than « LessTif « let floating « letterbomb » level 1 cache » level 2 cache » LEVEL5 OBJECT
