< application , jargon > Computations of a numerical nature, especially those that make extensive use of floating-point numbers. The only thing Fortrash is good for.
This term is in widespread informal use outside hackerdom and even in mainstream slang, but has additional hackish connotations: namely, that the computations are mindless and involve massive use of brute force . This is not always evil , especially if it involves ray tracing or fractal s or some other use that makes pretty pictures , especially if such pictures can be used as wallpaper .
See also crunch .
[ Jargon File ]
(1995-03-17)