[common] A collection of arcane, unpublished, and (by implication)
mostly ad-hoc techniques developed for a particular application or
systems area (compare {black magic}). VLSI design and compiler code
optimization were (in their beginnings) considered classic examples
of black art; as theory developed they became {deep magic}, and once
standard textbooks had been written, became merely {heavy wizardry}.
The huge proliferation of formal and informal channels for spreading
around new computer-related technologies during the last twenty years
has made both the term black art and what it describes less common
than formerly. See also {voodoo programming}.
[glossary]
[Reference(s) to this entry by made by: {black magic}{deep magic}{examining the entrails}{hex}{rain dance}{runes}]