<software> Instructions for a computer in some programming
	language, often {machine language}.  The word "code" is often
	used to distinguish instructions from {data} (e.g. "The code
	is marked 'read-only'") whereas "{software}" is used in
	contrast with "{hardware}" and may consist of more than just
	code.

	(2000-04-08)

<programming> A computer system or process that requests a
	service of another computer system or process (a "{server}")
	using some kind of {protocol} and accepts the server's
	responses.  A client is part of a {client-server} software
	architecture.

	For example, a {workstation} requesting the contents of a file
	from a {file server} is a client of the file server.

	(1997-10-27)

<networking> 1. A lasting connection between a user (or user
	agent) and a {peer}, typically a {server}, usually involving
	the exchange of many packets between the user's computer and
	the server.  A session is typically implemented as a layer in
	a network {protocol} (e.g. {telnet}, {FTP}).

	In the case of protocols where there is no concept of a
	session layer (e.g. {UDP}) or where sessions at the {session
	layer} are generally very short-lived (e.g. {HTTP}), {virtual}
	sessions are implemented by having each exchange between the
	user and the remote host include some form of {cookie} which
	stores state (e.g. a unique session ID, information about the
	user's preferences or authorisation level, etc.).

	See also {login}.

	2. A lasting connection using the {session layer} of a
	networking protocol.

	(1997-08-03)

1. <World-Wide Web> {HTTP cookie}.

	2. <protocol> A handle, transaction ID, or other token of
	agreement between cooperating programs.  "I give him a packet,
	he gives me back a cookie".

	The ticket you get from a dry-cleaning shop is a perfect
	mundane example of a cookie; the only thing it's useful for is
	to relate a later transaction to this one (so you get the same
	clothes back).

	Compare {magic cookie}; see also {fortune cookie}.

	3. <security, jargon> A {cracker} term for the {password} list
	on a {multi-user} computer.

	4. <jargon> An adjective describing a computer that just
	became {toast}.

	(1997-04-14)

<software> A program by {Richard Stallman} to discover
	properties of the current {platform} and to set up {make} to
	compile and install {gcc}.

	{Cygnus configure} was a similar system developed by
	K. Richard Pixley in collaboration with Richard Stallman.
	In 1994, David MacKenzie and others modified {autoconf} to
	incorporate all the features of Cygnus configure and many
	{GNU} programs, including gcc now use autoconf.

	{Metaconfig} is a similar program used in building {Perl}.

	{(http://www.airs.com/ian/configure)}.

	(2005-04-15)

1. {application program}.

	2. {function application}.