Discussion on: What common programming concept has the wrong name?

[Kat Marchán]

Map.

Literally every single different definition. I can think of three that programmers run into, off the top of my head.

[anpos231]

I personally don't think Map is a wrong name.
macmillandictionary.com/dictionary...

[Kat Marchán]

The problem is, "which map?" If I'm talking about Maps, am I talking about:

1. A "functional"/persistent key/value data structure
2. A regular key/value data structure
3. The higher-order function map()
4. Cartography
5. "Hidden Classes" (called Maps by Self and the internal V8 code)

The problem is that map is so unspecific in our field, there's a lot of ambiguity and that can lead to confusion.

[Chris C]

Map: Pooh Bear

Cartography: i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/origin...