ack

2 definitions found

ack - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  ACK
  
     1. <character> /ak/ The mnemonic for the ACKnowledge
     character, ASCII code 6.
  
     2. <communications> A message transmitted to indicate that
     some data has been received correctly.  Typically, if the
     sender does not receive the ACK message after some
     predetermined time, or receives a NAK, the original data
     will be sent again.
  
     [Jargon File]
  
     (1997-01-07)
  

ack - Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003) :

  ACK
   /ak/, interj.
  
     1. [common; from the ASCII mnemonic for 0000110] Acknowledge. Used to
     register one's presence (compare mainstream Yo!). An appropriate
     response to ping or ENQ.
  
     2. [from the comic strip Bloom County] An exclamation of surprised
     disgust, esp. in "Ack pffft!" Semi-humorous. Generally this sense is
     not spelled in caps (ACK) and is distinguished by a following
     exclamation point.
  
     3. Used to politely interrupt someone to tell them you understand
     their point (see NAK). Thus, for example, you might cut off an
     overly long explanation with "Ack. Ack. Ack. I get it now".
  
     4. An affirmative. "Think we ought to ditch that damn NT server for a
     Linux box?" "ACK!"
  
     There is also a usage "ACK?" (from sense 1) meaning "Are you there?",
     often used in email when earlier mail has produced no reply, or
  during
     a lull in talk mode to see if the person has gone away (the
  standard
     humorous response is of course NAK, i.e., "I'm not here").