What is the trailing x

Question

I noticed that their are a lot of technologies that uses X in their names like Directx and PhysX and X server ... is there a something common? Or is there any reason to choose X?

Will A · Answer 1 · 2011-05-16T23:25:22.877

2

According to Wikipedia, the X in DirectX 'stands in' for the various Direct APIs - Direct3D, DirectSound, DirectPlay etc. Seems like a reasonable explanation.

PhysX probably plays on the whole DirectX 'thing' - but I expect it's named as such 'cause it sounds a bit like physics.

X Server serves X. :p

edited May 16 '11 at 23:25

answered May 16 '11 at 23:19

Will A

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The previous comment would make more sense if you knew that one of my initials is indeed 'A'. But since you don't know that, what can you do? – Williham Totland May 16 '11 at 23:25
@Will A Totland?!?! Pleased to meet you Will. :) – Will A May 16 '11 at 23:30
Well, it's A. Will Totland; but that's a detail. ;) – Williham Totland May 16 '11 at 23:52

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered May 16 '11 at 23:22

The meaning of the X varies by usage; in PhysX it seems to be the kewl[sic] way to spell Physics; whereas in X Server (part of the X Window System) takes it's name from being the natural evolution of a system named W (probably short for Window, or just the letter after V; the name of the system on which it ran).

DirectX has already been explained in another answer; so there's that.

But the main reason, most of the time; is that Poor Literacy Is Kewl[sic].

'eck, that's an xcellent answer, eggspert! +1 – Will A May 16 '11 at 23:24 — Will A, May 16 '11 at 23:24

What is the trailing x

2 Answers2