Hacker

Hacker

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Contents [hide] 1 Computing and technology 2 Entertainment 3 People named Hacker 3.1 Real 3.2 Fictional 4 Other definitions 5 See also 6 References

Hacker may refer to:

Computing and technology

Hacker (computing) is a term used by some to mean "a clever programmer", and by others to mean "someone who tries to break into computer systems." Eric S. Raymond, compiler of The New Hacker's Dictionary, defines a hacker as a clever programmer. A "good hack" is a clever solution to a programming problem and "hacking" is the act of doing it. Raymond lists five possible characteristics that qualify one as a hacker, which are paraphrased here:^[1]

• A person who enjoys learning details of a Computer programming language or system.
• A person who enjoys actually doing the programming rather than just theorizing about it.
• A person capable of appreciating someone else's hacking.
• A person who picks up programming quickly.
• A person who is an expert at a particular programming language or system, as in "Unix hacker".

The term hacker is used in popular media to describe someone who attempts to break into computer systems. Typically, this kind of hacker would be a proficient programmer or engineer with sufficient technical knowledge to understand the weak points in a security system. Raymond deprecates the use of this term for someone who attempts to crack someone else's system or otherwise uses programming or expert knowledge to act maliciously. He prefers the term "cracker"^[2] for this meaning.

Other uses of hacker in the computing and technology context are:

• Hacker (computer security), someone involved in computer security/insecurity
• Hacker (programmer subculture), a programmer in the free software and open source movement
• Hacker (hobbyist), an enthusiastic home computer hobbyist.

Similar meanings in other fields are:

• Media hacker, someone who uses the media in new ways
• Reality hacker, similar to a computer hacker, but hacks the "real world"
• Wetware hacker, one who experiments with biological materials
• Somebody who generally works 'outside the box'.