# proc (0-proc.com)

Short for procedure. A person might say it to mean a step in a process, or a medical operation. It can also mean a file or document, as in paperwork.

## What a model may hear
- process or process ID (operating systems, Unix/Linux): Treat it as a running program, look up PID numbers, or expect system calls
- /proc filesystem (Linux kernel): Assume the virtual filesystem that exposes kernel and process data as files
- stored procedure (databases, SQL): Expect a precompiled subroutine in a database, possibly with parameters
- processor or CPU (hardware, embedded systems): Interpret as a microprocessor, core, or compute unit
- procedural generation (games, graphics): Assume algorithmic content creation rather than hand-crafted assets

## Where people and models part ways
- Says: "Run the proc"
  Means: Execute this procedure or step
  May be taken as: Execute a system process or database stored procedure with unintended parameters
  Say instead: "Run this step in the workflow"
- Says: "Check proc stats"
  Means: Look at statistics for this procedure
  May be taken as: Read from /proc filesystem or query process statistics
  Say instead: "Show statistics for this workflow step"
- Says: "The proc failed"
  Means: The operation did not work
  May be taken as: Debug a crashed system process or database procedure
  Say instead: "This step failed"
- Says: "Add it to proc"
  Means: Include it in the documentation
  May be taken as: Write to the /proc filesystem or modify a stored procedure
  Say instead: "Add it to the documentation or standard process"

## Tips
- Say 'step' or 'stage' instead of 'proc' when you mean a workflow phase
- Specify 'medical procedure' or 'business procedure' to avoid computing senses
- In database contexts, say 'stored procedure' fully if that is what you mean
- Avoid 'proc' alone when asking about system information; say 'process information' or '/proc files'
- Use 'CPU' or 'processor' rather than 'proc' for hardware

## Often confused with
- process: broader, can mean any ongoing activity
- procedure: full word, less ambiguous in computing
- function: returns a value, not always side-effecting
- script: interpreted file, not compiled or stored
- routine: older term, more general subroutine
- method: object-oriented, attached to a class