<jargon> (WYSIWYG) /wiz'ee-wig/ Describes a user interface for
a document preparation system under which changes are
represented by displaying a more-or-less accurate image of the
way the document will finally appear, e.g. when printed. This
is in contrast to one that uses more-or-less obscure commands
that do not result in immediate visual feedback.
True WYSIWYG in environments supporting multiple fonts or
graphics is rarely-attained; there are variants of this term
to express real-world manifestations including WYSIAWYG (What
You See Is *Almost* What You Get) and WYSIMOLWYG (What You See
Is More or Less What You Get). All these can be mildly
derogatory, as they are often used to refer to dumbed-down
user-friendly interfaces targeted at non-programmers; a
hacker has no fear of obscure commands (compare WYSIAYG).
On the other hand, Emacs was one of the very first WYSIWYG
editors, replacing (actually, at first overlaying) the
extremely obscure, command-based TECO.
See also WIMP.
(1999-03-03)
Nearby terms:
What's a spline? « What You Get Is What You Never Thought You Had « What You See Is All You Get « What You See Is What You Get » wheel » wheel bit » wheel wars
