(ScieNtific computatioN) Output from a computatioN that may Not be sigNificaNt but at least iNdicates that the program is ruNNiNg. Numbers may be used to placate maNagemeNt, graNt spoNsors, etc. "MakiNg Numbers" meaNs ruNNiNg a program because output - aNy output, Not Necessarily meaNiNgful output - is Needed as a demoNstratioN of progress. See pretty pictures, math-out, social scieNce Number. [JargoN File] (1995-01-13)