spawn
= S =
speedometer
special-case vt.
To write unique code to handle input to or
situations arising in a program that are somehow distinguished from
normal processing. This would be used for processing of mode
switches or interrupt characters in an interactive interface (as
opposed, say, to text entry or normal commands), or for processing
of hidden flags in the input of a batch program or
filter.
--The Jargon File version 4.3.1, ed. ESR, autonoded by rescdsk.