:NIL: /nil/ No. Used in reply to a question, particularly one
asked using the `-P' convention. Most hackers assume this derives
simply from LISP terminology for `false' (see also {T}), but
NIL as a negative reply was well-established among radio hams
decades before the advent of LISP. The historical connection
between early hackerdom and the ham radio world was strong enough
that this may have been an influence.
-- The AI Hackers Dictionary
asked using the `-P' convention. Most hackers assume this derives
simply from LISP terminology for `false' (see also {T}), but
NIL as a negative reply was well-established among radio hams
decades before the advent of LISP. The historical connection
between early hackerdom and the ham radio world was strong enough
that this may have been an influence.
-- The AI Hackers Dictionary
Related:
- NIL /nil/
No. Used in reply to a question, particularly
one asked using the `-P' convention.
Most hackers assume this derives simply from LISP terminology for `false' (see also T), but NIL as a negative reply was well-established among radio hams decades before the advent of LISP.... - T: /T/ 1. [from LISP terminology for `true'] Yes. Used in
reply to a question (particularly one asked using {The `-P'
convention}).
In LISP, the constant T means `true', among other things.... - T /T/
1. [from LISP terminology for `true'] Yes.
Used in reply to a question (particularly one asked using The -P convention).... - The `-P' convention: --------------------- Turning a word into a
question by appending the syllable `P'
from the LISP convention of appending the letter `P' to denote a predicate (a boolean-valued function).... - alk mode n.
A feature supported by Unix, ITS, and some
other OSes that allows two or more logged-in users to set up a
real-time on-line conversation.
It combines the immediacy of talking with all the precision (and verbosity) that written language entails.... - Read my Lisp...no new syntax. (nil)
- bug n.
An unwanted and unintended property of a program or
piece of hardware, esp.
one that causes it to malfunction. Antonym of feature.... - LISP: [from `LISt Processing language', but mythically from
`Lots of Irritating Superfluous Parentheses'] n.
AI's mother tongue, a language based on the ideas of (a) variable-length lists and trees as fundamental data types, and (b) the interpretation of code as data and vice-versa.... - I didn't change anything!: interj. An aggrieved cry often heard as
bugs manifest during a regression test.
The {canonical} reply to this assertion is "Then it works just the same as it did before, doesn't it?...
