:exec: /eg-zek'/ or /eks'ek/ vt., /n./ 1. [Unix: from `execute'] Synonym for {chain}, derives from the `exec(2)' call. 2. [from `executive'] obs. The command interpreter for an {OS} (see {shell}); term esp. used around mainframes, and prob. derived from UNIVAC's archaic EXEC 2 and EXEC 8 operating systems. 3. At IBM and VM/CMS shops, the equivalent of a shell command file (among VM/CMS users).
The mainstream `exec' as an abbreviation for (human) executive is *not* used. To a hacker, an `exec' is a always a program, never a person.
:exercise, left as an: /adj./ [from technical books] Used to complete a proof when one doesn't mind a {handwave}, or to avoid one entirely. The complete phrase is: "The proof [or `the rest'] is left as an exercise for the reader." This comment *has* occasionally been attached to unsolved research problems by authors possessed of either an evil sense of humor or a vast faith in the capabilities of their audiences.
:Exon: /eks'on/ /excl./ A generic obscenity that quickly
entered wide use on the Internet and Usenet after {Black
Thursday}. From the last name of Senator James Exon
(Democrat-Nevada), primary author of the {CDA}.
:external memory: /n./ A memo pad, palmtop computer, or written
notes. "Hold on while I write that to external memory". The
analogy is with store or DRAM versus nonvolatile disk storage on
computers.
:eye candy: /i:' kand`ee/ /n./ [from mainstream slang
"ear candy">[ A display of some sort that's presented to {luser}s
to keep them distracted while the program performs necessary
background tasks. "Give 'em some eye candy while the back-end
{slurp}s that {BLOB} into core."
:eyeball search: /n.,v./ To look for something in a mass of
code or data with one's own native optical sensors, as opposed to
using some sort of pattern matching software like {grep} or any
other automated search tool. Also called a {vgrep}; compare
{vdiff}, {desk check}.
= F = =====
:face time: /n./ Time spent interacting with somebody face-to-face (as opposed to via electronic links). "Oh, yeah, I spent some face time with him at the last Usenix."
:factor: /n./ See {coefficient of X}.