software bloat

jargon, abuse The result of adding new features to a program

or system to the point where the benefit of the new features

is outweighed by the extra resources consumed (RAM, disk

space or performance) and complexity of use. Software bloat

is an instance of Parkinson's Law: resource requirements

expand to consume the resources available. Causes of software

bloat include second-system effect and creepingfeaturitis. Commonly cited examples include Unix's "ls(1)"

command, the X Window System, BSD, Missed'em-five,

OS/2 and any Microsoft product.

[Jargon File]

(1995-10-16)