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> Mark Levinson <mark%CRABAPPLE -dot- BITNET -at- concert -dot- net> writes:
>> Without exception, following a brief period of glazed-over eyes,
>> they thank me for this information and *change their programming.*
>>
>> ** Terrific. I would love to get rid of that word. (As my
>> co-writer said, "What do we show on the icon, a coat-hanger?")
>> So please, what synonym do the programmers accept?
> Why not "stop"?
"stop" has a particular meaning to many computer programmers,
usually implying that the process stopped can be resumed. Of course,
this is always a problem with writing about computer programs, since
programming has co-opted a heck of a lot of terminology... It doesn't
pay to be overly concerned about it (unless you're writing to a
programmer audience) but I find that in situations, using a phrase
is usually better than using a word. For example, "Give up?" or "Stop
trying?", etc.
Most of these one-word responses are probably abbreviations of
such phrases, with the remainder implied. Typical of programmer-
designed prompts and messages (not necessarily bad, but designed for a
different audience - for programmers :-).
