flag

1. programming A variable or quantity that can take on one

of two values; a bit, particularly one that is used to

indicate one of two outcomes or is used to control which of

two things is to be done. "This flag controls whether to

clear the screen before printing the message." "The program

status word contains several flag bits." See also hiddenflag, mode bit.

2. command line option.

[Jargon File]

(1998-05-02)