4 ms·

Another example of bureaucratically named concepts is one used heavily in FPGAs - what programmers would call a library or a package in FPGA-land is called an "

• Cyph0n 10y ago
  It's "IP" (intellectual property) because it's something the company designed, and it's a "core" because it's a circuit that performs a computation. I don't really see how it's comparable to the linked example.
  • amelius 10y ago
    > It's "IP" (intellectual property) because it's something the company designed, and it's a "core" because it's a circuit that performs a computation. The same can be said for software.
    • Cyph0n 10y ago
      And your point is?
      • amelius 10y ago
        That the term "IP core" is not sufficiently narrow.
        • Cyph0n 10y ago
          Probably not, but this whole discussion is about a technical term whose origin does not reflect its usage or nature. To me, "IP core" reflects the nature of HDL libraries quite well, and is not at all similar to how the term "dynamic programming" was coined.
          • amelius 10y ago
            Ok, fair enough, but the term is still bad :)
• formula1 10y ago
  I dont mean to sound like coorperate but theres good reason to talk about things like this. With a term like "ip core" you know exactly what your selling and your target audience. Its not an intellectual property or product but the building blocks for it. When approaching other businesses you can view their "core" as weaker or stronger and you can specify how many resources are being spent on "ip core" vs "user experience". Something like research may imply a length process of unknown length. Dynamic programming implies adaptable steps to reach a goal. In ways, bureacratic speak is a more perfect for of english considering its more descriptive in the context of money, time and action with the goal of maximizing profits and minimizing expenses.
  • Retra 10y ago
    >maximizing profits and minimizing expenses This is always a sub-goal. You should be using the language that supports your actual goal, otherwise you're just end up lost in the weeds optimizing in circles.
    • formula1 10y ago
      Providing a service to others? Looking to fill a nitch in society? What is the "actual goal"? A companies/organizations survival and success is based off profits, so that is its actual goal. The government disensentives crime and insentives providing products and services to the world. "Research" can be considered "planning for reality" because thats what it is in the context of a company. Often, you are looking for ways to bring an imaginitive concept to life. If your working alone on your own personal project, you can call it anything you like. You can use your own language. But when you are providing your services for something bigger than yourself, ensuring people understand what your doing in regards to the companies success/failure is better. "Dynamic Programming" as a joke can be considered a two way joke. Perhaps the individual doesnt understand why discriptive vocabular (such as latin and programming) is better than just "words". And they chose words to influence and subdue higher ups rather than understanding why the boss has a seemingly irrational distaste for things he doesnt understand. What we get to enjoy is the common perspective "lol, stupid companies". But somehow these giant organizations provide far more successful than the unorganized peanut gallery.
• cardinalfang 10y ago
  IP cores are certainly more marketable than a software library. The standard Xilinx environment has a license key system that makes it easier to enforce terms of use.