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hacker

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
hacker

	hacker \hack"er\ (h[a^]k"[~e]r), n.
   One who, or that which, hacks. Specifically: A cutting
   instrument for making notches; esp., one used for notching
   pine trees in collecting turpentine; a hack.
   [1913 Webster]

Source: WordNet (r) 2.0
hacker

	hacker
     n 1: someone who plays golf poorly
     2: a programmer who breaks into computer systems in order to
        steal or change or destroy information as a form of
        cyber-terrorism [syn: cyber-terrorist, cyberpunk]
     3: a programmer for whom computing is its own reward; may enjoy
        the challenge of breaking into other computers but does no
        harm; "true hackers subscribe to a code of ethics and look
        down upon crackers"
     4: one who works hard at boring tasks [syn: hack, drudge]

Source: Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001)
hacker

	hacker n. [originally, someone who makes furniture with an axe] 1. A
   person who enjoys exploring the details of programmable systems and how
   to stretch their capabilities, as opposed to most users, who prefer to
   learn only the minimum necessary. 2. One who programs enthusiastically
   (even obsessively) or who enjoys programming rather than just theorizing
   about programming. 3. A person capable of appreciating hack value. 4.
   A person who is good at programming quickly. 5. An expert at a
   particular program, or one who frequently does work using it or on it;
   as in `a Unix hacker'. (Definitions 1 through 5 are correlated, and
   people who fit them congregate.) 6. An expert or enthusiast of any kind.
   One might be an astronomy hacker, for example. 7. One who enjoys the
   intellectual challenge of creatively overcoming or circumventing
   limitations. 8. [deprecated] A malicious meddler who tries to discover
   sensitive information by poking around. Hence `password hacker',
   `network hacker'. The correct term for this sense is cracker.

   The term `hacker' also tends to connote membership in the global
   community defined by the net (see the network and Internet address).
   For discussion of some of the basics of this culture, see the How To
   Become A Hacker (http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/faqs/hacker-howto.html) FAQ.
   It also implies that the person described is seen to subscribe to some
   version of the hacker ethic (see hacker ethic).

   It is better to be described as a hacker by others than to describe
   oneself that way. Hackers consider themselves something of an elite (a
   meritocracy based on ability), though one to which new members are
   gladly welcome. There is thus a certain ego satisfaction to be had in
   identifying yourself as a hacker (but if you claim to be one and are
   not, you'll quickly be labeled bogus). See also geek, wannabee.

   This term seems to have been first adopted as a badge in the 1960s by
   the hacker culture surrounding TMRC and the MIT AI Lab. We have a report
   that it was used in a sense close to this entry's by teenage radio hams
   and electronics tinkerers in the mid-1950s.

Source: The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03)
hacker

	hacker
     
         (Originally, someone who makes furniture with
        an axe) 1. A person who enjoys exploring the details of
        programmable systems and how to stretch their capabilities, as
        opposed to most users, who prefer to learn only the minimum
        necessary.
     
        2. One who programs enthusiastically (even obsessively) or who
        enjoys programming rather than just theorizing about
        programming.
     
        3. A person capable of appreciating hack value.
     
        4. A person who is good at programming quickly.
     
        5. An expert at a particular program, or one who frequently
        does work using it or on it; as in "a Unix hacker".
        (Definitions 1 through 5 are correlated, and people who fit
        them congregate.)
     
        6. An expert or enthusiast of any kind.  One might be an
        astronomy hacker, for example.
     
        7. One who enjoys the intellectual challenge of creatively
        overcoming or circumventing limitations.
     
        8. (Deprecated) A malicious meddler who tries to discover
        sensitive information by poking around.  Hence "password
        hacker", "network hacker".  The correct term is cracker.
     
        The term "hacker" also tends to connote membership in the
        global community defined by the net (see The Network and
        Internet address).  It also implies that the person
        described is seen to subscribe to some version of the hacker
        ethic.
     
        It is better to be described as a hacker by others than to
        describe oneself that way.  Hackers consider themselves
        something of an elite (a meritocracy based on ability), though
        one to which new members are gladly welcome.  Thus while it is
        gratifying to be called a hacker, false claimants to the title
        are quickly labelled as "bogus" or a "wannabee".
     
        9. (University of Maryland, rare) A programmer who does not
        understand proper programming techniques and principles and
        doesn't have a Computer Science degree.  Someone who just
        bangs on the keyboard until something happens.  For example,
        "This program is nothing but spaghetti code.  It must have
        been written by a hacker".
     
        [Jargon File]
     
        (1996-08-26)