2016/08/08 03:44:13
craigb
While I'm waiting for one of my old machines to finish updating itself, here's a quick Nerd Trivia test!
 
  • Back in the day, what did programmers call the forward slash ("/"), the exclamation point ("!") and the asterisk ("*") special characters?
 
For extra credit (or to break any ties):
  • Dial-in timeshare computers used to require passwords entered while holding the <Ctrl> key down.  If your password was "push" what even simpler password could you have used?  
  • Also, why were passwords with the letter "g" in them to be avoided?
 
Good luck! 
2016/08/08 07:32:28
BobF
whack, bang, splat ...
 
My initial experience was military - I didn't have to share
2016/08/08 08:18:49
craigb
Ok, one answer in, but with no extra credit!  Anyone else?  
 
(Probably a good thing I didn't ask for chevrons, fingernails or octathorps, ya?)
2016/08/08 08:50:14
ston
Programmers do not call this: / "forward slash" :-p
 
It's just slash.  Not the rubbish guitarist with the silly hat either.  This: \ is backslash.
 
! is bang, or perhaps not ;-)
 
What are some of the names TCL programmers call this construct: {*} ? :-D
 
 
2016/08/08 09:35:13
BobF
craigb
Ok, one answer in, but with no extra credit!  Anyone else?  
 
(Probably a good thing I didn't ask for chevrons, fingernails or octathorps, ya?)




octothorpe I know
2016/08/08 09:49:05
sharke
I can't answer any of those (probably too young) but here's one from the early days of home computing:

An SYS call to which address (in decimal) would immediately crash a Commodore 64?
2016/08/08 10:03:22
bitflipper
! is bang, or perhaps not ;-)

I see what you did there.
 
I take issue with the preface "back in the day"...I still use these terms every day! Make me feel like a relic, why don'tcha?
 
CTL-G is the ASCII Bell character. That's why you avoid it unless you're being an assh..., er, jerk. 
2016/08/08 10:03:33
bapu
craigb
 
For extra credit (or to break any ties):
[font="'courier new', courier; line-height: 1.8"]Also, why were passwords with the letter "g" in them to be avoided?
 

"g" was a ding/bell sound?
2016/08/08 12:36:54
craigb
Poor Ed, just one post late! 
sharke
I can't answer any of those (probably too young) but here's one from the early days of home computing:

An SYS call to which address (in decimal) would immediately crash a Commodore 64?



64738?  (The reset call.)
 
I know doing things with ""+-0 in it will also crash one (it creates an unhandled string and number clash).
2016/08/08 12:39:35
bapu
craigb
Poor Ed, just one post late! 



FIFO
© 2026 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1

Use My Existing Forum Account

Use My Social Media Account