#FOO BAR
6 messages in this thread
A couple of questions for whoever might be able to help. First, where can
one obtain a copy of the actual ANSI C standard (X3.159-1989)?
Second: a trivia question that's probably been asked before. What is the
history/origin of the ubiquitous dummy names FOO and BAR?
Thanks.
Gary
I have absolutely no idea where to get a copy of the standard.
The names FOO and BAR:
As far as I've been able to determine, they grew out of an old acronym that
dates back to sometime before WWII — "FUBAR", which was Fouled (or
substitute your favorite word) Up Beyond All Repair (or maybe Recognition).
I still don't know who originally used the names "FOO" and "BAR" as
examples in programming tutorials.
JIM
Isidore of Seville says,
"FOO is from Fu I, who during the T'ang dynasty resisted the introduction
of Buddhism. I think he was a cabinet minister or something. BAR is from
Akbar, emperor of India, a contemporary of Elizabeth I."
But Plutarch, in his EDP Questions, says
"These terms clearly derive from a software engineering methodology which
involves saying PHOOey and going to the BAR."
aaaaarrrrrrggggghhhh!
In regards to part two, I hope I'm not offending anyone but I believe FOO
BAR is a variation on FUBAR which has been known to mean:
"&5#+%$ Up Beyond All Recognition"
Jon: Yes, that derivation of FOOBAR seems to be correct. Thanks.