Re: OT: German reputation

--- Tim May <butsuri@...> wrote:

> caeruleancentaur wrote at 2004-12-16 13:23:41
> (-0000)
>  > Benct Philip Jonsson <bpj@M...> wrote:
>  >
>  > >...very few if any will actually instantiate.
<snip>

>
> Benct's use strikes me as a little odd, though
> probably not incorrect.
> I've rarely encountered the word in the active
> voice.
>
In computer programming it is a very commonly used
technical term. A thing call an "object" which
consists of data elements and "methods" for
manipulating those data elements is _defined_, but not
actually created until it needs to be used.

When the time comes to actually use an instance of
that object the new instance is created, or
instantiated.  Imagine having a rubber stamp of a
duck. Now when you need a _picture_ of a duck you take
a blank piece of paper an instantiate a duck image on
that piece of paper.

Strange usage, but we computer programmers are a
strange lot and pride ourselves on our
incomprehensible jargon.

--gary