SMOP

2 definitions found

From Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001) [jargon]:

  SMOP /S-M-O-P/ n. [Simple (or Small) Matter of Programming] 1. A piece
     of code, not yet written, whose anticipated length is significantly
     greater than its complexity. Used to refer to a program that could
     obviously be written, but is not worth the trouble. Also used ironically
     to imply that a difficult problem can be easily solved because a program
     can be written to do it; the irony is that it is very clear that writing


     such a program will be a great deal of work. "It's easy to enhance a
     FORTRAN compiler to compile COBOL as well; it's just an SMOP." 2. Often
     used ironically by the intended victim when a suggestion for a program
     is made which seems easy to the suggester, but is obviously (to the
     victim) a lot of work. Compare {minor detail}.
  
  

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03) [foldoc]:

  SMOP
       
          /S-M-O-P/ [Simple (or Small) Matter of Programming] 1. A piece
          of code, not yet written, whose anticipated length is
          significantly greater than its complexity.  Used to refer to a
          program that could obviously be written, but is not worth the
          trouble.  Also used ironically to imply that a difficult
          problem can be easily solved because a program can be written
          to do it; the irony is that it is very clear that writing such
          a program will be a great deal of work.  "It's easy to enhance
          a Fortran compiler to compile COBOL as well; it's just an
          SMOP."  2. Often used ironically by the intended victim when a
          suggestion for a program is made which seems easy to the
          suggester, but is obviously (to the victim) a lot of work.
       
          [{Jargon File}]