[1] : Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001)

magic cookie n. unix; common 1. something passed between routines or
   programs that enables the receiver to perform some operation; a
   capability ticket or opaque identifier. especially used of small data
   objects that contain data encoded in a strange or intrinsically
   machine-dependent way. e.g., on non-unix oses with a non-byte-stream
   model of files, the result of `ftell3' may be a magic cookie rather
   than a byte offset; it can be passed to `fseek3', but not operated on
   in any meaningful way. the phrase `it hands you a magic cookie' means it
   returns a result whose contents are not defined but which can be passed
   back to the same or some other program later. 2. an in-band code for
   changing graphic rendition e.g., inverse video or underlining or
   performing other control functions see also cookie. some older
   terminals would leave a blank on the screen corresponding to mode-change
   magic cookies; this was also called a glitch or occasionally a
   `turd'; compare mouse droppings. see also cookie.


see also:
cookie glitch mouse droppings 

[2] : The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03)

magic cookie
     
        1. something passed between routines or programs that enables
        the receiver to perform some operation; a capability ticket
        or opaque identifier.  especially used of small data objects
        that contain data encoded in a strange or intrinsically
        machine-dependent way.  e.g. on non-unix operating systems
        with a non-byte-stream model of files, the result of "ftell"
        may be a magic cookie rather than a byte offset; it can be
        passed to "fseek", but not operated on in any meaningful
        way.  the phrase "it hands you a magic cookie" means it
        returns a result whose contents are not defined but which can
        be passed back to the same or some other program later.
     
        2. an in-band code for changing graphic rendition e.g. inverse
        video or underlining or performing other control functions.
        some older terminals would leave a blank on the screen
        corresponding to mode-change magic cookies; this was also
        called a glitch or occasionally a "turd"; compare mouse
        droppings.
     
        see also cookie.
     
        jargon file
     
        1995-01-25
     
     
see also:
capability opaque identifier unix operating system ftell fseek 
glitch mouse droppings cookie jargon file 

Magic Cookie >> M Words
Magic Cookie, definition of term: Magic Cookie
magic+cookie_pag1.html

Magic >> M Words
Magic, definition of term: Magic
magic_pag1.html

Cookie >> C Words
Cookie, definition of term: Cookie
cookie_pag1.html

Magic Realism >> M Words
Magic Realism, definition of term: Magic Realism
magic+realism_pag1.html

Cookie File >> C Words
Cookie File, definition of term: Cookie File
cookie+file_pag1.html

Magic Wand >> M Words
Magic Wand, definition of term: Magic Wand
magic+wand_pag1.html

Fortune Cookie >> F Words
Fortune Cookie, definition of term: Fortune Cookie
fortune+cookie_pag1.html

Deep Magic >> D Words
Deep Magic, definition of term: Deep Magic
deep+magic_pag1.html

Black Magic >> B Words
Black Magic, definition of term: Black Magic
black+magic_pag1.html

Http Cookie >> H Words
Http Cookie, definition of term: Http Cookie
http+cookie_pag1.html

Page 1 2 3 Next