bit bucket

[vic user]

i was reading in the ms-dos prog. ref. about the various character devices, and just love the definition of the NUL character device

- "bit bucket" device that discards all output and provides no input.

i think i am going to start using "bit bucket" as an insult to certain people

chris

 

[carlsson]

Yup, it is a well known part of the jargon. I've heard it used for unexpected data loss too, not only those parts redirected to NUL.

 

[Terry Yager]

Back in the days of paper tape and punch cards, the term was sometimes used to refer to the little cup on the punch machine that catches the 'chad' (the punched-out paper).

--T