Information Technology Reference
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δ 1 ,...,δ n , n
>
δ 1
1
δ 2 ,…,
δ n 1
Theorem. Let
2 be such that
η R
1 |= η and
n 1 |= η . Then
n 1 δ n .Let
be such that
1 )(η 1 2 ) ··· r 1 r )(η r )
L
such that
η i ,1
i
r ,
j ,1
j
<
n , such that
j
|= η i .
Mathematics as jargon is discussed further in Chap. 9 .
Jargon does not have to consist of obscure terms. It can be at its most confusing
when words in common use are given a newmeaning; and some words have multiple
meanings even within computing.
The transaction log is a record of changes to the database.
The transaction log is a history of changes to the database.
The first version is confusing because databases consist of records. Likewise, consider
“the program's function”. Synonyms also cause such problems.
Hughes describes an array of algorithms for list processing.
Hughes describes several algorithms for list processing.
New jargon inevitably arises during research, as ideas are debated and simple labels
are attached to new concepts. Consider whether your terminology conveys the
intended meaning (or any meaning at all) to likely readers.
The need to name variants of existing ideas or systems presents a dilemma,
because if the new name is dissimilar to the old then the relationship is not obvi-
ous, but prefixing a modifier to the old name—for example, to obtain “binary tree”
from “tree”—can result in ridiculous constructs such as the “variable-length bitstring
multiple-descriptor floating bucket extensible hashing scheme”. If you need to qual-
ify a name, choose a meaningful adjective. There are already too many “intelligent”
algorithms, for example.
Where new terminology or jargon is introduced, use it consistently. Existing ter-
minology or notation should only be changed with good reason. Sometimes your
problem requires new terminology that is inconsistent with the terminology already
being used, thus making change essential; but remember that any change is likely to
make your paper harder to read.
Cliché and Idiom
Some expressions are clichés, that is, stock phrases whose meaning has little rela-
tionship to their words. Many readers, especially those from other cultures, may
misunderstand such phrases. Examples include “follow suit”, “up to scratch”, “rein-
vent the wheel”, “go through with a fine-tooth comb”, “flat out”, “cut and dried”, and
“bells and whistles”. Idiomatic phrases are also poor choices in scientific writing, for
similar reasons. Examples include “crop up”, “lose track”, “come to grips with”, “it
turned out that”, “play up”, “stacked deck”, and “right out”. Do not use such phrases.
 
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