hidden flag

(scientific computation) An extra option added to a routine

without changing the calling sequence. For example, instead

of adding an explicit input variable to instruct a routine to

give extra diagnostic output, the programmer might just add a

test for some otherwise meaningless feature of the existing

inputs, such as a negative mass. The use of hidden flags can

make a program very hard to debug and understand, but is all

too common wherever programs are hacked in a hurry.

[Jargon File]

(1994-11-24)