Re: Why's it a sandbox?

[Mark D. Baushke]

On Wed, Aug 18, 2004 at 05:28:28PM -0400, Jim.Hyslop wrote:

> <OT rant>
> Why do people call these "sandboxes"? I'm a professional software
> developer, not a kid playing in the sand.
> </OT rant>

A search for "jargon sandbox" yeilds this result:

    sandbox: n. 1. (also `sandbox, the') Common
    term for the R&D department at many software
    and computer companies (where hackers in
    commercial environments are likely to be
    found). Half-derisive, but reflects the truth
    that research is a form of creative play.
    Compare playpen. 2. Syn. link farm. 3. A
    controlled environment within which
    potentially dangerous programs are run. Used
    esp. in reference to Java implementations.

I suspect that definition 3 is intended. Changes are
potentially dangerous and doing a commit puts your
changes under control... or, at least that is a
nice rationalization don't you think? :-)

        Enjoy!
        -- Mark