bells and whistles
[By analogy with the toyboxes on theatre organs]. Features added to a program or
system to make it more flavourful from a hacker's point of view, without
necessarily adding to its utility for its primary function. Distinguished from
chrome, which is intended to attract users. "Now that we've got the basic
program working, let's go back and add some bells and whistles." No one seems to
know what distinguishes a bell from a whistle.
[Jargon File]
Nearby terms:
bell curve « Bell Laboratories « Bell Labs «
bells and whistles » bells, whistles, and gongs
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