3 ms·
NS stood for NeXT and Sun. NX was the original prefix before OpenSTEP. EDIT: I might be wrong about the first part, see my comment below.
by mepian 2y ago
NS stood for NeXT and Sun. NX was the original prefix before OpenSTEP.
EDIT: I might be wrong about the first part, see my comment below.
- ManuelKiessling 2y agoUh, that‘s interesting! Do you have a source for this (or is it firsthand knowledge?)
- mepian 2y agoI have an original "NeXTstep Concepts" manual with the NX prefix. I can't remember where I heard the "NeXT and Sun" explanation for the first time, but a Google search shows that the prefix change could've actually occurred before the collaboration with Sun. It could stand for NeXT Software, as it's closer to the transition to a software company.
- Reason077 2y agoThe "NS" prefix was introduced with OpenStep in 1994[1]. OpenStep was a collaboration between NeXT and Sun[2]. So the S in "NS" referring to Sun is certainly plausible! [1] https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/CocoaFundamentals/WhatIsCocoa/WhatIsCocoa.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40002974-CH3-SW12 https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Co... [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenStep https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenStep
- SeanLuke 2y agoPer bbum and others, NS long predated Sun getting involved.
- the_mitsuhiko 2y agoA person that was involved with the project claims the prefix predates Sun's involvement [1]. > Totally wrong. The NS prefix predated Sun signing on to implement the OpenStep spec by quite a bit. It was either NS for “NeXTStep” or “New System”. None of us can remember which, though, but definitely not NeXT-Sun. [1]: https://x.com/bbum/status/1260304075305791488 https://x.com/bbum/status/1260304075305791488
- teaearlgraycold 2y agoI first read that in a Fabien Sanglard book, probably Game Engine Black Book: DOOM?
- jasoneckert 2y agoAccording to Wikipedia, NS stood for NeXTSTEP: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundation_Kit#:~:text=This%20framework%20uses%20the%20prefix,of%20the%20Swift%20standard%20library https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundation_Kit#:~:text=This%20.... I do remember people in my circles thinking it stood for NeXT Software (which was likely a more suitable name for its use at the time).
- teaearlgraycold 2y agoThis is what I’ve heard. If true it’s funny as it effectively eliminates Sun’s inclusion in the acronym because everyone assumes it’s NextStep.
- SeanLuke 2y agoNope. NeXT switching from NX to NS predates Sun's involvement.