Software component names should be whimsical and cryptic

Re:Software component names should be whimsical and cryptic by moduspol on Tuesday September 13, 2022 @12:24PM (#32826430)

I remember how confused I was when I found out a program exists called "FileMaker". Curious how that name was chosen.

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Re:Software component names should be whimsical and cryptic by dijit27 on Saturday September 17, 2022 @05:09AM (#32876008)

Your comment really gave me pause. I've used FileMaker for many years but never gave the name that much thought.

I can't say how the name was chosen. But, I believe I understand the justification for it. It is pretty straightforward once the metaphor is clear. The files it is making are the type of files that go into filing cabinets, not the files on a computer. Early versions of the software had a logo/picture of a building that was a giant filing cabinet and the app logo has usually been a filing folder.

The name makes sense in that isn't about making files on a computer but to help small business convert physical files found in filing cabinets into digital ones in wysiwyg database.

I remember finding "Photoshop" nonsensical at first because I associated a shop with a place to go buy things and it only made sense once I made the association that cars and such are taken to the shop for repairs.

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Re:Software component names should be whimsical and cryptic by ThePadawan on Tuesday September 13, 2022 @03:15PM (#32828973)

I'm still split on which category Adobe (Macromedia) Dreamweaver falls into.

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