# dot (1-dot.us)

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
- Says: "Connect the dots"
  Means: 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"
- Says: "What is the dot product"
  Means: 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"
- Says: "Save it in the dot folder"
  Means: 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"
- Says: "Draw me a dot diagram"
  Means: 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