banana problem
(From the story of the little girl who said "I know how to spell "banana", but I
don't know when to stop"). Not knowing where or when to bring a production to a
close (compare fencepost error). One may say "there is a banana problem" of an
algorithm with poorly defined or incorrect termination conditions, or in
discussing the evolution of a design that may be succumbing to featuritis (see
also creeping elegance, creeping featuritis). See item 176 under HAKMEM, which
describes a banana problem in a Dissociated Press implementation. Also, see
one-banana problem for a superficially similar but unrelated usage.
(1995-01-31)
Nearby terms:
Banach space « Banach-Tarski paradox « banana label
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