hidden flag
(scientific computation) An extra option added to a routine without changing the
calling sequence. For example, instead of adding an explicit input variable to
instruct a routine to give extra diagnostic output, the programmer might just
add a test for some otherwise meaningless feature of the existing inputs, such
as a negative mass. The use of hidden flags can make a program very hard to
debug and understand, but is all too common wherever programs are hacked in a
hurry.
[Jargon File]
(1994-11-24)
Nearby terms:
HHOS « HIBOL « HID « hidden flag »
hierarchical database » Hierarchical Data Format »
hierarchical file system
|
