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Boat
anchor
In computing, a boat anchor is a piece of useless computer
hardware - so-called because theoretically their only productive
use is to be thrown into the water as a boat mooring (a common
use for large obsolete or non-functional pieces of machinery).
Early computers, where the term originated, were physically
large and heavy devices, making them eminently suitable for
such a use.
The original meaning was simply that the computer gear in
question was obsolete, and no longe useful.
The correct solution for dealing with Boat Anchors in source
code is to remove them from the code base and to place them
in a separate location so that they can be referred to if
necessary, but will not be compiled or be mistaken as "working"
code.
In amateur radio, a boat anchor is an old piece of radio equipment.
In this case they may not be considered useless as there are
many aficionados that love their old boat anchor radio equipment.
The term was used by amateur radio operators long before computers
were common place. The following are three theories on the
origin of the term.
The most common means are:
Human power (rowing, paddling, setting pole etc.)
wind power (sailing)
Motor powered screws
Inboard
Internal Combustion (gasoline, diesel)
Steam (Coal, fuel oil)
Nuclear (for LARGE boats)
Inboard/Outboard
Gasoline
Diesel
Outboard
Gasoline
Electric
Paddle Wheel
Water Jet (Jet ski, Personal water craft, Jetboat)
Air Fans (Hovercraft, Air boat)
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