Glossary of Data Processing Wares
- BRITTLEWARE:
- Firmware that tends to break down a lot.
- COPPERWARE:
- Hard-wired programs, often referred to as microcode.
- EVERYWARE:
- Similar to ware alone, but with three satisfyingly more
syllables (two if you're from the south).
- GREENWARE:
- Financial systems.
- HARDWARE:
- Equipment, including power switch.
- LET-THE-BUYER-BEWARE:
- Purchased wares of any type.
- MUSHWARE:
- Extremely soft ware's, often sticky and unpalatable.
(In contrast to its non-computer name-sake, programmers
are often eaten by mushware for breakfast.)
- NOWARE:
- Programs full of sound and furry, signifying nothing.
- SILVERWARE:
- Programs whose cost could lead to expectation of being punched on
precious-metal cards.
- SOFTWARE:
- Universe minus hardware and firmware.
- SOMEWARE:
- Program fragments, or addition routines for whose who can't spell.
- STONEWARE:
- Code written by a programmer who was blown away at the time,
also known as high-level programming.
- TOUGHWARE:
- Firmware that continues doing its thing no matter how badly
beat upon by users.
- UNDERWARE:
- Support programs.
- VACUUMWARE:
- Software that was written specifically to fill a void in the
industry, especially software which is successful more due to
how well it fills that void than due to anything else, like
usability and utility.
- VAPORWARE:
- Programs or program features announced by a vendor that never
materialize.
- WARE:
- Goods, commodities, manufactures or produce of a specific
class or kind, usually used in combination.
- WARE-AND-TEAR:
- Burst forms.
- WAREHOUSE:
- Vendor's place of business.
- WAREWOLF:
- A system's programmer on the make.
- WASH-AND-WARE:
- Programs that can be repeatedly cleaned up and get only
slightly more wrinkled each time.
- WILL-O-THE-WARE:
- An ethereal program of which much is rumored but little is seen.
Return to Mt.SAC's Home Page
Robert (Bob) J. Lee
Mt. San Antonio College
Contact: rlee@mtsacvm.mtsac.edu
January 18, 1996
URL: http://www.mtsac.edu/~rlee
rlee@MtSACvm.MtSAC.edu