number cruncher

n 1: someone able to perform complex and lengthy calculations

2: a computer capable of performing a large number of

mathematical operations per second

number crunching

Computations of a numerical nature,

especially those that make extensive use of {floating-point}

numbers. The only thing {Fortrash} is good for.

This term is in widespread informal use outside hackerdom and

even in mainstream slang, but has additional hackish

connotations: namely, that the computations are mindless and

involve massive use of {brute force}. This is not always

{evil}, especially if it involves {ray tracing} or {fractal}s

or some other use that makes {pretty pictures}, especially if

such pictures can be used as {wallpaper}.

See also {crunch}.

[{Jargon File}]

(1995-03-17)