JargonFile/entries/feature.txt

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2014-04-26 10:52:28 -04:00
feature
2014-04-26 11:54:15 -04:00
n. 1. [common] A good property or behavior (as of a program). Whether it was
intended or not is immaterial. 2. [common] An intended property or behavior
(as of a program). Whether it is good or not is immaterial (but if bad, it
is also a misfeature ). 3. A surprising property or behavior; in particular,
one that is purposely inconsistent because it works better that way such an
inconsistency is therefore a feature and not a bug. This kind of feature is
sometimes called a miswart ; see that entry for a classic example. 4. A
property or behavior that is gratuitous or unnecessary, though perhaps also
impressive or cute. For example, one feature of Common LISP's format
function is the ability to print numbers in two different Roman-numeral
formats (see bells whistles and gongs ). 5. A property or behavior that was
put in to help someone else but that happens to be in your way. 6. [common]
A bug that has been documented. To call something a feature sometimes means
the author of the program did not consider the particular case, and that the
program responded in a way that was unexpected but not strictly incorrect. A
standard joke is that a bug can be turned into a feature simply by
documenting it (then theoretically no one can complain about it because it's
in the manual), or even by simply declaring it to be good. That's not a bug,
that's a feature! is a common catchphrase. See also feetch feetch , creeping
featurism , wart , green lightning. The relationship among bugs, features,
misfeatures, warts, and miswarts might be clarified by the following
hypothetical exchange between two hackers on an airliner: A: This seat
doesn't recline. B: That's not a bug, that's a feature. There is an
emergency exit door built around the window behind you, and the route has to
be kept clear. A: Oh. Then it's a misfeature; they should have increased the
spacing between rows here. B: Yes. But if they'd increased spacing in only
one section it would have been a wart they would've had to make
nonstandard-length ceiling panels to fit over the displaced seats. A: A
miswart, actually. If they increased spacing throughout they'd lose several
rows and a chunk out of the profit margin. So unequal spacing would actually
be the Right Thing. B: Indeed. Undocumented feature is a common, allegedly
humorous euphemism for a bug. There's a related joke that is sometimes
referred to as the one-question geek test. You say to someone I saw a
Volkswagen Beetle today with a vanity license plate that read FEATURE. If
he/she laughs, he/she is a geek.