magic number
Key target value
A magic number is a number with special significance in a particular context.
In sports, it's the combination of wins and competitor losses needed to clinch a title: The team's magic number is three.
In programming, it's a hard-coded value that appears without explanation—generally considered bad practice.
In physics and chemistry, magic numbers are specific quantities of protons or neutrons that make atomic nuclei unusually stable.
Readying for action
- integerNumber lacking fractions
- piCircle's fundamental ratio
- golden ratioPhi, roughly 1.618
- algebraicRelating to variable mathematics
irrational · transcendental · factorial · sequence · theorem · amicable · narcissistic · abundant
Mystical significance of digits
- sacredWorthy of reverence
- sevenFourth prime number
- threeSum of one twice
- thirteenAfter twelve, before fourteen
kabbalah · symbolism · fortune · lucky · unlucky · ritual · divination · astrology
Fixed, unvarying quantity
- hardcodedPermanently set in software
- refactorReorganize code internally
- code smellIndicator of flawed design
- configurationArrangement of parts
parameter · unnamed · literal · maintainability · readability · anti-pattern · variable · debugging
Occurring in ordered succession
- identifierLabel for recognition
- codeSymbolic communication system
- pinPointed metal fastener
- combinationJoining of multiple elements
key · authentication · verification · token · checksum · validation · tracking · reference
Settling something conclusively
- playoffsChampionship elimination series
- eliminationAct of removing entirely
- standingsComparative position list
- pennantTapering nautical flag
wild card · games back · countdown · contender · division · race · championship · postseason
prime
Readying for action
- integerNumber lacking fractions
- piCircle's fundamental ratio
- golden ratioPhi, roughly 1.618
algebraic · irrational · transcendental · factorial · sequence · theorem · amicable · narcissistic · abundant · deficient
numerology
Mystical significance of digits
thirteen · kabbalah · symbolism · fortune · lucky · unlucky · ritual · divination · astrology · tarot
constant
Fixed, unvarying quantity
- hardcodedPermanently set in software
- refactorReorganize code internally
- code smellIndicator of flawed design
configuration · parameter · unnamed · literal · maintainability · readability · anti-pattern · variable · debugging · documentation
serial
Occurring in ordered succession
- identifierLabel for recognition
- codeSymbolic communication system
- pinPointed metal fastener
combination · key · authentication · verification · token · checksum · validation · tracking · reference · confirmation
clinching
Settling something conclusively
- playoffsChampionship elimination series
- eliminationAct of removing entirely
- standingsComparative position list
pennant · wild card · games back · countdown · contender · division · race · championship · postseason · regular season
- numbersone, two, four, three, 0
- baseball seasonregular season, playoffs, postseason, World Series, spring training
- business metricsconversion rate, revenue, KPIs, sales figures, ROI
- Pennant Racegames back, stretch run, clinch, clinching, contenders
- nuclear physicsnuclear energy, fission, nuclear fission, neutron, proton
- gambling superstitionsgambler's fallacy, blowing on dice, hot streak, cold streak, beginner's luck
magic, number, magical, magician, sorcery, magic numbers, magically, magicians, mage