dot
People say dot to mean a small round mark, like the period at the end of a sentence. They also use it for the point between parts of a web address, as in dot com.
What a model may hear
- graph node graph theory and data science
- treat the word as a vertex in a network diagram, expecting node-edge relationships
- command in graphviz the Graphviz visualization tool
- look for a DOT language script that defines how to draw a diagram
- directory traversal Unix-like file systems
- interpret dot as the current directory and dot-dot as the parent directory
- matrix multiplication linear algebra and NumPy
- read dot as a request to compute the dot product of two vectors or arrays
- domain separator networking and DNS
- parse the term as the literal period dividing labels in a fully qualified domain name
Where people and models part ways
“Connect the dots”
Meant: Help me see the pattern or big picture
May be taken as: Generate Graphviz DOT code or try to render a node graph
Say instead: “Help me see the pattern in this information”
“What is the dot product”
Meant: Explain the mathematical concept simply
May be taken as: Dive into tensor contractions or assume code implementation is needed
Say instead: “Explain the dot product in simple terms with an everyday example”
“Save it in the dot folder”
Meant: Save it in the hidden folder that starts with a period
May be taken as: Create a folder literally named dot or fail to recognize the Unix convention
Say instead: “Save it in the hidden folder whose name starts with a period”
“Draw me a dot diagram”
Meant: Make a simple sketch or chart
May be taken as: Output raw DOT language code instead of an image or description
Say instead: “Draw me a simple diagram and describe it in words”
Tips
- Say period when you mean the punctuation mark to avoid graph or code associations
- Say point when you mean the decimal separator in a number
- Specify Graphviz or node graph if you actually want DOT language output
- Say hidden folder or period-prefixed folder instead of dot folder for Unix paths
- Say connect the ideas or find the pattern instead of connect the dots for figurative requests
Often confused with
- point
- Decimal separator or geometric location, not punctuation or code
- period
- Punctuation mark without graph or coding connotations
- node
- Explicit graph vertex, more technical than everyday dot
- spot
- Physical location or stain, rarely technical
- speck
- Tiny visible mark, no computing usage